Roxbury Land Trust - Bear Encounters

How to Avoid Bear Encounters

With more frequent bear sightings in Roxbury and the neighboring towns, we share this information about how to discourage a bear from adopting you.
The CT Department of Environmental Protection reminds residents to take steps to reduce contact with bears. Bears are often attracted to human-provided foods found near homes. (On rare occasions they may attack livestock.) Steps to take:

Remove birdfeeders during spring, summer and fall.
Store household garbage in secure, airtight containers inside closed garages or sheds. (Ammonia can be added to garbage bags and cans to discourage pilfering by animals.)
Keep outside grills clean/remove all grease and drippings.
Avoid leaving pet food or dishes outdoors at night.
Do not put meat, sweet or fatty food scraps in compost piles.
Bears can destroy unprotected beehives.
Protect livestock with electric fences.
Never intentionally feed bears.
If encountering a bear while hiking, make your presence known by yelling or making other loud noises. Usually a bear will move from an area once it detects humans. If it does not retreat, slowly leave the area and find an alternate route.
To report a bear sighting, call the DEP Wildlife Division Sessions Woods office at 860-675-8130, the DEP's 24-hour dispatch line at 960-424-333, or use this report form. For more information, explore the CT DEP site.

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