The latest Connecticut DEEP State Of The Bears Report has revealed that in 2025, bears entered or broke into homes in 18 different Connecticut municipalities. In 2025 alone, 40 incidents were reported to the DEEP. The report also revealed a decade-long rise in human-bear conflicts, not only in frequency but in severity. The primary cause of these conflicts is access to human-associated foods (birdseed, trash, pet food) that are calorie-rich and attractive to bears. The reproducing portion of the bear population is also expanding into more cities and towns. The DEEP has created several tips for residents to protect their neighborhoods and bears. It is now illegal to intentionally feed bears, and in 2023, the Connecticut General Assembly passed a law banning intentional feeding of potentially dangerous wildlife.