Black Bears Thrive Despite Winter’s Icy Grip In Connecticut

Connecticut has been covered in a light coat of ice and snow for the better part of the past month, and the only wildlife that seems to be thriving as we get into this first week of 2026 is our black bear population.

According to msn.com, a homeowner in the Northern section of my hometown of Torrington had to call in help from the Connecticut DEEP after a black bear attempted to enter their home on January 2. Luckily, the bear didn't make it inside and had left the premises by the time that DEEP employees arrived on scene.

According to the State of Connecticut's 2025's The State of the Bears report, Litchfield County is the most likely place in our state to not only encounter a black bear but also the most likely place for human-black bear conflicts. Human-bear conflicts are very rare, with two such incidents reported in 2024, the majority of livestock-bear conflicts reported over the past few years have involved chickens 85% of the time.

Out of all of the reported human-bear conflicts reported in The State of the Bears, you are most likely to attract a black bear to your property if: You leave uncovered garbage cans outside overnight, you leave birdfeeders up throughout the Winter, you are a beekeeper or gardener during the Summer months, or you have a weak, old structure that appears to have food or shelter for our visiting bears.

Litchfield County is also where most baby bears in Connecticut learn about the world, sows with offspring were reported in 89 towns in Connecticut during 2024.