State wildlife officials warn of increased bear encounters in June

ESSEX, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont’s Fish and Wildlife Dept. says they expect bear encounters to increase this month because of things like unsecured garbage.

Take a look at this video captured by Kyle Pecor in Essex. The video was taken on Saturday and Pecor says this black bear has been sniffing around the dumpsters.

According to Vermont Fish and Wildlife officials, the department has seen increasing bear conflicts between May and June over the past several years.  However, 2022 showed a more pronounced spike than the three-year average of 182 reports in May and 370 reports in June. This year the department had already received 136 reports as of May 27.

They say if you have your own bins, to keep them inside until a few hours before trash collection.

When those preventative steps are not in place, and bears learn that unsecured garbage is an easy food source, they can become bold and sometimes aggressive, according to Vt. Fish and Wildlife.

More resources and information on coexisting with bears is available on the department’s website.

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