There can be some broad overlap between male and female ranges. DEEP COVID-19 Response. The P-R Program provides funding through an excise tax on the sale of sporting firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment. John Rowland’s plea for early release from probation, Gov. Add a few capfuls of ammonia to trash bags and garbage cans to mask food odors. Owners say this will destroy the little profit margins they now have. Bears cannot be relocated to another state because no other state allows it.

Litter sizes range from 1 to 4 cubs, with litters of 2 or 3 being most common. DEEP is continuing to carry out its mission and provide services while keeping both the public and our workforce safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. This may lead to personal injury, property damage, and the need to destroy problem animals. You can help by reporting your observations for the wildlife species listed below. Bears that associate food with people may become aggressive and dangerous. Bears rarely harm cats or dogs. Yearlings weigh 45 to 100 pounds. Do not cook near your tent and do not store food inside your tent. Occasionally preys on small mammals, rarely deer and livestock. 2016 CT.gov | Connecticut's Official State Website, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, ederal Aid to Wildlife Restoration - Pittman-Robertson (P-R) Program. If you see a bear when hiking or camping, make your presence known by making noise and waving your arms.

Do not climb a tree because black bears are excellent tree climbers. © Black bear habitat is forestland, usually with deciduous and coniferous trees, as well as streams, swamps, and rock ledges. Bear tracks somewhat resemble human tracks, but the front feet are shorter than the rear. In Connecticut, most bears den from late November through mid-March. Make sure your dog is on a leash and under control. In western North America some black bears are brown or cinnamon. Get the facts at ct.gov/coronavirus. People should learn what to do if they see a bear and how to avoid unnecessary conflicts by keeping food away from bears. Background Information. Encourage your neighbors to take similar precautions. It seems that JavaScript is not working in your browser. Sighting reports of bobcats will help biologists gain an understanding of the current state population. DEEP Tranquilizing Teams, consisting of Environmental Conservation Police officers and wildlife biologists, are trained and equipped to immobilize wildlife. Even a long-distance glimpse of one foraging in a woodland is an unforgettable experience for most outdoor enthusiasts. In Connecticut, adult males, or boars, normally weigh from 150 to 450 pounds, while females, or sows, weigh from 110 to 250 pounds.

Bears may attack sheep, goats, pigs, fowl, and llamas. Bears prefer areas with thick understory vegetation and abundant food resources. Most ranges are used by more than one bear, but specific areas are rarely used at the same time. Some of the features on CT.gov will not function properly with out javascript enabled. Report a Bear Sighting. The sexes are similar in appearance, although males are usually larger. View a map of current sightings for black bears, bobcats, and moose.

Store livestock and pet foods in airtight containers and clean up any spilled feed. View a map of current sightings for black bears, bobcats, and moose. Go back to see more maps of Connecticut U.S. Maps Cubs are weaned when they are about 7 months old and will remain with the female until the second summer of their lives. The Wildlife Division has been conducting a long-term study of the state's growing black bear population. Bears do not form long-lasting bonds, so the males may mate with more than one female during the breeding season. Thoroughly clean grills after use or store in a garage or shed. In 2019, there were approximately 7,300 bear sightings across the state. Get the facts at ct.gov/coronavirus. Males may breed with several females, but are solitary in the non-breeding season. Black bears will sometimes "bluff charge" to within a few feet of you when they feel threatened. (rev. Remove bird feeders from late March through November. The Department of Energy & Environmental Protection monitors reports of black bear activity in Connecticut.

COVID-19 Information: Connecticut residents are urged to continue taking precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Division also collects carcasses of road-killed bobcats as part of the study.

Black bears are impressive animals. From June 1 to August 31, volunteers and Department staff record all of the hens and poults observed during normal travel. Connecticut Bear Sightings: Town-By-Town Rankings - Across Connecticut, CT - There's a new leader in the clubhouse when it comes to reported black bear sightings in Connecticut. Black bears are good tree climbers and strong swimmers. Black Bear Sightings. Denning bears do not eat, drink, urinate, or defecate. It is the smallest North American bear. Bears commonly den under fallen trees or in brush piles, but varied sites are used, including rocky ledges. They also will seek insects (particularly ants and bees), scavenge carrion, and raid bird feeders and garbage cans. Lamont pulls Connecticut back to Phase 2 reopening, asks residents to stay home at night as coronavirus outbreak continues, Florida authorities capture fugitive drama instructor who disappeared from Connecticut after rape conviction 44 years ago, If Biden wins, Georgia runoff elections in January could decide control of Senate, As COVID-19 cases rise, Yale tightens restrictions on gatherings, travel; increases testing for some staff, Connecticut restaurants will be required to close by 10 p.m. starting Friday. In most hiking areas, bears normally leave once they have sensed a human. However, glimpsing a bear in Connecticut was once unlikely because bears were extirpated from the state by the mid-1800s. Diet: Grasses, forbs, fruit, nuts, and berries. The Wildlife Division encourages residents to participate in the annual Wild Turkey Brood Survey to help biologists estimate the average number of turkey poults (young-of-the-year) per hen statewide and to assess annual fluctuations in the turkey population.

The DEEP's response will depend on the specifics of each bear situation. Weight: Males, normally 150-450 lbs. Some bears have been marked with ear tags and GPS collars as part of our research. Since then, annual sighting reports have increased dramatically, indicating a rapid increase in the bear population. Bears occasionally attack livestock and damage beehives. Black Bear … Click here for the latest updates on DEEP's response to COVID-19. 5/09), © As bears become more regular residents of Connecticut towns, it is important that people learn to adapt to the presence of bears and take measures to avoid damage and problems. Sometimes bears are attracted to food that is prepared outside. In most cases, if left alone, the bear will make its way to a more natural habitat. However, they will usually wake up if disturbed during their winter dormancy. Bobcats have been live-trapped and marked with yellow ear tags and GPS collars.

As part of this long-term study, the public is also asked to report vehicle-killed bears seen along Connecticut roadways by calling 860-424-3011. The size of a home range varies geographically and often depends on the quality of habitat. The Wildlife Division initiated a study of Connecticut's bobcat population in 2017. Denning enables bears to overcome unfavorable weather conditions and lack of food during winter. The resident population is estimated to be in the hundreds. Connecticut's bat species have suffered dramatically from the effects of white-nose syndrome to the point that several are now on Connecticut's List of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species. Please note that many people claim to have heard fisher calls that sound similar to a person "crying". Also seeks insects (ants, bees), scavenges carrion, and raids garbage cans and bird feeders. However, if they regularly find food near houses and areas of human activity, they can lose their fear of humans.

If you have seen a bear, you can report it to the Wildlife Division by using the link to the left. ; females, 110-250 lbs. Black bears are generally shy and secretive and usually fearful of humans. Read our Moose Fact Sheet to learn more about moose in Connecticut.

The age when sows first produce cubs is related to the available food supply, but most begin to reproduce at age 3 or 4 and continue to have young every 2 years. Bears that have persistent, serious, negative behavior, such as killing protected livestock or entering buildings, may have to be destroyed. However, they will go after pet rabbits in outdoor hutches. Black bears are impressive animals. Fighting may occur between rival males as well as between males and unreceptive females. Climatic factors, such as drought, may result in a food shortage, causing bears to travel many miles in search of food. Removing food attractants, such as bird feeders, reduces the chance that bears will go near homes. View a current map of black bear sightings in Connecticut. Breeding occurs during summer, usually in late June or early July. The Wildlife Division has been conducting a long-term study of the state's growing black bear population. If this happens, stand your ground and shout at the bear.

In 2019, approximately 7,300 bear sightings from 150 of Connecticut’s 169 towns were reported to the DEEP Wildlife Division. Select the link above to report your sighting.