Originally published in The Connecticut Mirror on May 29, 2025.
In Connecticut, all law enforcement officers and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEEP) have full authority to kill problem bears. In 2023, Public Act 23-77 also granted this authority to any farmer with a permit and anyone in self-defense. And Public Act 23-77 made feeding black bears illegal and punishable.
Despite these robust and recent tools, there is a relentless push for a bear hunt – most recently under the guise of public safety.
But the public pays hundreds of professionals across the state to protect public safety and the public trust, and all these professionals can remove problem bears. Some of these officials also have the responsibility to educate the public, which they have been doing at recent events. The CT Bear Coalition has been providing additional science on bear behavior, prevention and non-lethal methods.