WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) – Bears have been spotted in every town and city in Connecticut this year, and wildlife officials said conflicts with them have increased.
State officials are warning residents to take precautions with trash cans and yards this fall to protect neighborhoods from bears.
Break-ins on the rise
Newly released state wildlife data said bears are getting comfortable breaking into more homes for food.
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection reported more than 60 incidents of bears entering homes so far in 2026.
DEEP said that is high compared to Massachusetts, where there were only five documented break-ins last year, despite that state having a much larger bear population.
Wildlife experts said this time of year, bears want to fill up on food before hibernation and may eat up to 20,000 calories a day.
Precautions for residents
The experts said residents should keep trash bags inside until trash day or request a bear-resistant trash can.
If a bear is spotted, the said to never approach it, bring children and pets inside, and yell, shout, or clap loudly. If the bear climbs a tree, leave it alone.
Sightings can be reported on the DEEP website. DEEP said more than 10,000 sightings have been reported this year alone.
It said bears are generally scared of people, but are wild animals and can be unpredictable. It said to leave a bear alone even if it presents a photo opportunity.
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