Bear Information
The Simsbury Police Department responds to many calls concerning bears. Bears that are walking through neighborhoods, feeding on birdseed, damaging bird feeders and other property, rummaging through garbage and recycling, entering garages and homes, and passing through our school grounds. To report a bear that may be in an area that could potentially be alarming or hazardous, we can be reached for an emergency at 911 or (860) 658-3100 for a routine call. In addition, you can report any bear sighting to the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) through the CT DEEP website reporting form. To view town by town sightings throughout the state, visit the DEEP bear sightings page. For some general information about bears, check out our brochure Wildlife of Simsbury. It provides general facts about the types of bears that live in the northeast, their habits and safety precautions. For more specific information about black bears, visit the Simsbury Police Bear Facts website page and the DEEP Black Bear Fact Sheet.
WHAT DO WE DO:
The Animal Control Officer and/or Police Officers respond to bear calls for the safety and security of the community and to provide information regarding safety, prevention and facts. Department members use aversive conditioning techniques to make the bears feel uncomfortable in the dense areas of town and try to move them along. For information about how to prevent bears from getting into your garbage or recycling, view "Managing Bears and Garbage in Simsbury".
The Town of Simsbury works closely with the DEEP in order to best protect and provide services to the community in balance with our environment. The town has regular communication with DEEP Wildlife Division, DEEP biologists and State Environmental Conservation Police. The exchange of information between the Town and the State is crucial to wildlife management, safety and policy.
If you have any questions, please contact Animal Control Officer Mark Rudewicz at (860) 658-3110.
CT DEEP Black Bear Sighting Reporting Form