Vermont wildlife officials report that the state’s black bear population has exceeded management objectives for the fifth consecutive year. Current estimates place the population between 7,500 and 8,900 animals, which sits well above the target range of 3,500 to 5,500. This growth correlates with a significant rise in interactions between bears and human residents.
Fish and Wildlife officials report an increase in complaints regarding bears entering residential areas and accessing trash. While some management steps like hunting and road-kill incidents occur regularly, these factors are not currently enough to slow the population growth. Consequently, the state is proposing changes to hunting regulations to address the imbalance.
The proposed rules include extending the bear hunting season to coincide with the end of deer season. Additionally, the department is considering an increase in the harvest limit to two adult bears in specific geographic zones. These measures aim to manage the population through increased hunting pressure.
Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of human actions in mitigating conflicts. Residents are urged to remove bird feeders and secure trash containers to prevent bears from becoming habituated to residential food sources. Public hearings regarding these proposed hunting rule changes are scheduled for later this month.