MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – The numbers are in on last year’s black bear population in the state.
It’s estimated that Vermont has between 6,300 and 7,600 bears based on the 2023 data.
Those numbers are down a little from 2022 which was a five-year high.
Although there is fluctuation in bear numbers, Vermont Fish and Wildlife says they are overall on a rising trend.
Fish and Wildlife gets the numbers from hunter information, reported dead bears and sightings.
The state’s bear project leader, Jaclyn Comeau, says the state will now evaluate this data.
“There are indications that this may be more bears than Vermont habitat can support and that’s why we are seeing so many reports of conflicts,” Comeau said.
Wildlife officials urge Vermonters to be “bear aware” by securing garbage and not leaving food out to attract bears. Click here for more advice on living with bears.