A Granby man has been charged with killing a black bear that he says was going after his chickens, reigniting a debate in Connecticut over bear encounters and what homeowners should be allowed to do to protect livestock and property.
The man said the bear had a history of going after his livestock and had become more aggressive. He was charged with the illegal harvesting of a bear under a law passed in 2023.
People who live in Granby said they have watched the bear population grow, and conflicts with humans increase. The state also noted an increase in human-bear conflicts in its State of the Bears report this year, with unsecured trash and bird feeders among the factors driving encounters. Backyard chickens remain another concern.
“I don’t know what the answer is, we certainly need more information, but i hope we find it fast,” one Granby resident of 32 years said.
Another resident said homeowners should be able to respond when they believe they are in danger.
“If a homeowner feels threatened in any way, shape, or form, that is up to their discretion how they want to handle it,” they said.
In Connecticut, it is illegal to kill a bear unless it is in direct self-defense of a person or pet, generally meaning a cat or dog, or if the animal is actively breaking into a home.
Bears can also be killed to protect agriculture, but other measures, such as electric fencing, must be tried first and an agricultural permit is required.
State Sen. Eric Berthel, a Republican from Watertown, said he voted for the 2023 legislation but believes the regulations are too restrictive.
“I don’t think the state of Connecticut should get in the way of that; we should have less regulation, not more,” Berthel said. “They should have the authority to protect their livestock and livelihood without having to go to the state and have there be some cost involved.”
Residents said more work is needed as Connecticut’s bear population grows and bears expand their territory.
“How do we find a way to balance quality of life? And I never want to kill anything, but I also don’t want people to have to sacrifice their well-being because they don’t feel safe,” the Granby resident of 32 years said.
Some point to education as part of the solution. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has promoted its “Be BearWise” campaign since it launched in 2023.
A bear hunt has also been a recurring subject of discussion in the Connecticut Legislature. DEEP and others have pointed to a hunt as a potential way to reduce conflicts, while the idea continues to generate debate and opposition.
Asked whether they supported a bear hunt, the second Granby resident said, “Absolutely not, no I am not.”
Berthel said he has floated bear hunt legislation 12 times, but the proposals have never made it through the legislature.
NBC Connecticut reached out to Democratic lawmakers about the state’s bear law but did not receive a response to a request for an interview.