While Watering Her Flowers, She Saw a Black Bear

On the same day that Newtown Patch reported a black bear pawing through bird feeders in yards in the , another sighting was reported on Meadowlark Circle in Monroe.

A resident was outside watering her flowers at around 8:32 a.m. on July 8 when she looked up and saw a black bear about 30 yards away, police said, adding the woman ran back inside. When she looked out her windows, the animal was gone.

An Animal Control officer searched the area, but could not find the bear.

Monroe Animal Control Officer Edward Risko said bear sightings are common this time of year.

"The young males are all over the place," he said. "Everyone is on the move right now."

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According to a Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection fact sheet, black bears breed in the summer, usually in late June or July, when males "travel extensively in search of females". Drought conditions can also make bears travel for miles to forage for food, the report says.

Risko said male black bears have a range of over 30 square miles. Females with cubs only have a range of about 5 to 7 miles, according to the DEEP.

There were no food attractants in the yard on Meadowlark Circle, so Risko believes the bear was just passing through.

A DEEP sighting report was filed and a common caution PSA was given to the homeowner. Though the state agency can be involved in the process, Risko prefers that bear sightings be reported to the local animal control.

"The state may not do anything or tell us," he explained, adding Monroe Animal Control shares its information with the state.

Black bears are seldom aggressive toward humans and are even shy and fearful of people, but can lose their fear if they regularly find food near houses and areas of human activity, according to the DEEP.

Bears Along Route 25

Connecticut's black bear population is on the rise. According to a state report in 2009, DEEP estimated that there were 300 to 500 black bears in the state. Risko said most of the bears live upstate, adding Monroe's sightings are usually along the Route 25 corridor.

"Our human population is higher so more eyes are out there for sightings," Risko said. "We have about five sightings a year. Bears have always been cutting through Monroe."

Two years ago, Risko said a black bear traveled across town on its way to Shelton, and last year one passed through Monroe on its way to Trumbull.

Risko said he would only get nervous if a cub was seen, because it could mean a sow has moved into the area. In that case, he said residents would have to exercise more caution.

"I don't mind the ones passing through," Risko said. "It's just like passing traffic. They eat from a couple bird feeders and they move on."

Bear Do's and Don'ts

The DEEP has a list of do's and don'ts when encountering a bear.

Bears Near Your Home

DO make bird feeders and bird food inaccessible by discontinuing the feeding of birds in late March through November or by hanging feeders at least 10 feet above the ground and six feet away from tree trunks.

DO eliminate food attractants by placing garbage cans inside a garage or shed. Add ammonia to trash to make it unpalatable.

DO clean and store grills away after use.

DON'T intentionally feed bears. Bears that become accustomed to finding food near your home may become "problem" bears.

DON'T leave pet food outside overnight.

DON'T add meat or sweets to a compost pile.

Bears When Hiking or Camping

DO make your presence known by making noise and waving your arms if you see a bear while hiking.

DO keep dogs on a leash and under control. A roaming dog might be perceived as a threat to a bear or its cubs.

DO walk away slowly if you surprise a bear nearby.

DON'T cook food near your tent or store food inside your tent. Instead, keep food in a secure vehicle or use rope to suspend it between two trees.

DON'T climb a tree, but wait in a vehicle or building for the bear to leave the area.