The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection reminds everyone to take steps to reduce the likelihood of an encounter with a bear this fall… when black bears increase their food intake to add fat reserves needed to help them survive winter. Conflicts with bears have tripled over the last five years in Connecticut and bears have been sighted in all of the state’s 169 cities and towns. Never feed bears… intentionally or unintentionally… by leaving pet food, bird feeders, and other food sources unattended and available. As bears become increasingly food-conditioned, conflicts with humans will continue to increase, and food-conditioned bears pose a greater risk.