Morgansons | CT for Animals

REAL STORIES OF PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE IN CT

Craig and Tanya of North Granby, CT share their real life experience coexisting with black bears.

We moved to Connecticut for the beauty, the wildlife, the small-town atmosphere and the friendly people. We researched the area, including the animals we would be sharing our 30-acres with (i.e. what to expect from them, and how to behave to ensure the best outcome). After all, most CT animal species were here before humans, so the onus was rightfully on us to be good neighbors. One of the most anticipated was the black bears, so we immediately obtained bearproof trash cans, which we always keep inside, and we’ve followed all the other standard practices so bears do not confuse us with a food source. Some of these practices include not putting out trash cans too early, not distributing birdseed near our house, maintaining a clean barbeque grill, not cooking with windows or doors open, etc. And when we’re out, we make human noises so we don’t surprise each other. We walk our pets on leashes, always bring bear whistles and bear spray, etc. When we encounter bears, it's always the same… we assess each other’s threat level with a mutual desire to move on without conflict, and we do. We respect their right to exist, and we accept our responsibility to behave in a manner that will not attract them or confuse them. It’s easy to do.

We feel extremely fortunate to have black bears on our property most of the year. They’re magnificent animals. They like the berry trees (away from our house) and they also have their natural food sources in the woods. However, because we follow the proven common-sense practices to avoid attracting them, they do not come close to our house, even when walking through the outer areas of our yard. When we hear about unwelcome bear encounters, we’ve been able to determine that irresponsible or uneducated human behavior has confused and attracted those bears. Bears do not want to interact with humans, but humans are forcing it. I’d like to urge everyone to accept responsibility, as the species with the superior intellect, to behave responsibly. Please follow the recommended practices outlined by BearWise. Bears are a keystone species, vital contributors to the eco system, and necessary. Overpopulation of bears is not the problem, humans attracting bears with food buffets is the problem. I think it’s very important to do everything we can to change irresponsible human behavior rather than legalize bear hunting. Bad Human behavior does not make bears evil.

Furthermore, the science is clear in proving that killing bears does not decrease bear/human interactions, it can actually increase encounters. The only winners when hunting bears are hunters who desire to add easy prey to a trophy wall. It’s just unnecessary and damaging to the ecosystem of this beautiful state. I’d also like to talk to my farmer friends… I’ve been a businessman most of my life, so when I hear farmers complain about the cost of electric fencing as a justification for killing bears, it disappoints me. Farming is a business, so livestock/crop protection costs are fundamental items on a farming business expense sheet. I would urge farmers to inquire about grants for electric fencing (proven to be effective) and/or adjust pricing to responsibly account for livestock/crop protection costs as a standard business expense, and so livestock/crop predators can be managed humanely. A bad business model should not be reason to kill a keystone species!

Learn how you can peacefully coexist with bears and other wildlife in Connecticut:

Bear Resource Page: https://www.ctforanimals.org/blackbears
Bear Fact Sheet: https://www.ctforanimals.org/.../d13e64...
Bear Webinar Recording: https://www.ctforanimals.org/educational-materials/videos...