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HB 6234

AN ACT CONCERNING BLACK BEAR CONSERVATION AND THE REDUCTION OF PERSON TO BEAR CONFLICTS AND PREDATION OF WHITE-TAILED DEER BY BLACK BEARS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Anderson and 1 co-sponsor

Connecticut bill establishing black bear management protocols balancing human-wildlife conflict reduction with bear conservation and white-tailed deer population impacts.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment
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Bill Summary · HB 6234

Legislative bill overview

HB 6234 establishes a framework for black bear management in Connecticut focused on conservation while reducing conflicts between bears and people, as well as addressing bear predation on white-tailed deer populations. The bill addresses the intersection of wildlife management, public safety, and ecosystem balance as black bear populations have expanded in the state.

Why is this important

Connecticut has experienced increasing black bear sightings and human-wildlife conflicts as bear populations recover and expand into residential areas. The bill attempts to balance legitimate conservation goals with practical concerns about property damage, public safety, and impacts on the state's significant deer hunting heritage—issues that affect homeowners, hunters, and wildlife managers alike.

Potential points of contention

  • Bear management methods: Disagreement likely over what population control measures are appropriate, including whether lethal removal, relocation, or non-lethal deterrents should be prioritized
  • Deer predation vs. bear conservation: Tension between hunters and wildlife advocates over whether protecting bears or maintaining deer populations takes precedence
  • Residential protection standards: Disputes over what level of responsibility property owners bear for bear-proofing versus what government assistance or regulation is required

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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