Connecticut Lawmakers Call for Bear Hunting Season

Connecticut lawmakers submitted bills to create a bear hunting season to address increasing human-bear conflicts. (Photo by Renee Foskett)

Republican Connecticut lawmakers have submitted a number of bills that would create a bear hunting season in the state.

According to ctinsider.com, lawmakers have submitted 16 different bills that would create bear hunting seasons either statewide or in Litchfield County, which is home to the highest concentration on bears.

The effort expands on a 2023 law that allows residents to use deadly force against a bear when they believe the animal is threatening bodily harm toward them or a pet. The law allows the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), in some circumstances, to issue permits for killing nuisance animals that threaten crops, beehives or livestock.

"I believe it's about time we enact legislation to have a regulated bear-hunting season," said state Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding, a ranking Republican on the legislative Environment Committee.

Republican and Democratic committee leaders said the panel will soon hold a public hearing on the various proposals in preparation of possibly voting on a hunting bill.

"It'll be a concept, bringing ideas," said state Sen. Rick Lopes, D-New Britain, co-chairman of the committee, who gets regular bear visitors on his property. "We have a bear in my yard every single year. He has like five tags in his ears. He meanders up my driveway."

Harding said his young children are called inside whenever a bear comes onto his property.

"I think that it's become a public safety issue and not so much a sportsman's issue," Harding says. "I've run into a lot of people throughout my district, of all political stripes, who would tell you that it is a growing danger. That's why I think we need to draft it."

Lawmakers have rejected a bear hunting season in Connecticut for decades, partly due to pressure from animal rights activists.

Will Healey, director of communications for the DEEP, said the agency is looking forward to working with state lawmakers on the issue.

"Generally speaking we continue to see human/bear conflicts around the state," Healey said. He claims there were 68 instances of bears entering homes in 2024. "We have generally supported a limited bear hunt as an additional tool in addressing human bear conflicts."

The DEEP is compiling its annual bear report for release sometime in February.