Hunting bears who are simply living in their forest homes doesn’t reduce or resolve human-bear conflicts. Numerous studies have shown that harassing and killing these animals causes an increase in bear complaints.

When hunters kill mothers, dependent cubs who haven’t yet learned how to avoid humans and forage for food in nature often become the “problem” bears that are the basis of pro-hunting arguments. Attractant management, education, and other nonlethal methods, however, have consistently proved effective.

As Connecticut’s own Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has acknowledged, “Humans feeding bears is the primary cause of bear habituation, which in turn can lead to home entries and dangerous human-bear interactions.” That’s why bans on feeding wild animals, such as the one recently passed by state lawmakers, are critical.

Reducing attractants, including by using bear-resistant trash cans, enclosing compost piles, and keeping barbecue grills clean of drippings, further decreases the chance of an encounter. Experts also recommend simply being “bear aware” and keeping a small can of bear spray in case of an emergency.

Black bears are vital members of healthy ecosystems, but there are only an estimated 1,000 to 1,200 of them in Connecticut, compared with 3.7 million humans. Most Connecticut residents would prefer to stick to scientifically sound methods to coexist with this small number of animals.

Meghan Tiemann lives in Torrington.