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Connecticut bears entered homes more than 60 times across 20 municipalities by September 21, 2026, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). The agency says accessible food such as garbage, birdseed, and pet food draws bears into residential areas—and repeated access can make them more accustomed to people.
What the Connecticut bear-entry figures show
DEEP reported over 60 documented bear home entries across 20 Connecticut municipalities as of September 21, 2026. That is a year-to-date count, not a final total for 2026. In a separate six-year accounting, the agency said staff investigated and verified 265 reports of bears entering homes between 2020 and 2025. The annual counts varied; DEEP’s report lists 40 reports in 2025, so the figures do not show a steady year-by-year rise.
Why bears enter homes and yards
Food that is easy to reach can bring bears close to homes. DEEP identifies garbage, birdseed, and pet food among the attractants. When bears repeatedly find food around people, they can become habituated and food-conditioned, returning to residential areas in search of another meal.
Acting Connecticut DEEP Commissioner Emma Cimino said in an August 12, 2026 agency release: “When bears find an easy meal in our trash or at birdfeeders, they lose their natural fear of people and spend more time in our yards and urban areas, rather than in the woods, placing families and pets at risk.”
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How to reduce the chance of a bear entering your home
- Secure outdoor garbage and other food sources so bears cannot get to them. A bear-resistant trash can may be one option; check that your waste hauler accepts the container.
- Keep birdseed and pet food out of reach, and avoid leaving food where a bear can access it.
- Never intentionally feed bears. DEEP says feeding bears is illegal in Connecticut.
What to do if you see a bear
- Leave the bear alone and keep your distance. Do not approach it to take photos or video.
- Keep your dog controlled so it cannot approach or provoke the bear.
- Report the sighting through Connecticut DEEP’s bear-reporting channel.
- If a bear appears aggressive toward people, or there is another immediate public-safety concern involving a bear, call DEEP’s 24-hour dispatch center at 860-424-3333.
Does Connecticut allow bear hunting?
The article associated with the headline says Connecticut does not allow black bear hunting. The official material cited here does not establish the governing law or whether exceptions apply, so this article does not treat that claim as an independently verified statement of current law.
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