Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Rocky Neck State Park is also closed until further notice due to a brush fire. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Reports, Videos, StoryMaps, and Webinars About Black Bears

Reports

State of the Bears report call out

The State of the Bears - A Briefing on Bears in Connecticut 

Get all the information on bears in Connecticut including bear population, conflicts, feeding ordinances, comparisons with other states, and the best ways to coexist with black bears.

NEW! Download the 2024 Report Here

Download the 2023 Report Here

Video Series: Tips for Living with Black Bears

There's No Free Lunch - Managing Food, Garbage, and Other Attractants

Share the Woods - How to React if You Encounter a Black Bear Outdoors

Preventing Wildlife Conflicts with Electric Fencing

Electric fencing is the most effective way to protect crops and livestock from wildlife, including black bears

Bear in Mind

StoryMaps

Population Monitoring Is More than Just a Number -- How bear biologists use several research techniques to see the whole picture.

Webinars

Black Bear Webinar: Learn about black bears and black bear management with (now-retired) DEEP Wildlife Division Biologist Paul Rego.

Back to Living with Black Bears

Content last updated in February 2024.