It's that time of year when we start getting numerous calls about bears in New Fairfield neighborhoods. CT DEEP recommends that when encountering a bear while in your yard or hiking, make your presence known by yelling or making other loud noises. If a bear does not retreat, slowly leave the area. If in your yard, go into your house, garage, or other structure. If the bear persistently approaches, go on the offensive—shout, wave your arms, and throw sticks or rocks.

To make your yard less attractive to bears, DEEP recommends removing food attractants, such as bird seed and unsecured garbage:

NEVER feed bears.

Take down, clean, and put away bird feeders by late March, or even earlier during mild weather. Store the feeders until late fall and clean up spilled seed from the ground. Store any unused bird seed and suet in a location not accessible to bears, such as a closed garage. Do not store bird seed in screened porches or sheds where bears will be able to rip screens or break through windows to access the seed.

Store garbage in secure, airtight containers inside a garage or other enclosed storage area. Adding ammonia to trash cans and bags will reduce odors that attract bears. Periodically clean garbage cans with ammonia to reduce residual odor. Put garbage for pickup outside the morning of collection and not the night before.

Do not store recyclables in a porch or screened sunroom as bears can smell these items and will rip screens to get at them.

Keep barbecue grills clean. Store grills inside a garage or shed.

Supervise dogs at all times when outside. Do not leave pet food outdoors or feed pets outside.

Use electric fencing to protect chickens, other livestock, beehives, agricultural crops, and berry bushes.

Avoid placing meat scraps or sweet foods, such as fruit and fruit peels, in compost piles.

In the rare instance when a bear appears to be aggressive toward people, residents should immediately contact DEEP’s 24-hour dispatch line at 860-424-3333. More information can be found at https://portal.ct.gov/deep/wildlife/fact-sheets/black-bear