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April 2026
Wildlife Highlights is published by the Connecticut DEEP Wildlife Division. Please share the newsletter with others to help spread awareness about Connecticut's wildlife!
Black bears and bird feeders are a bad combination. Properly managing birdfeeders, garbage, and other attractants is essential to reducing human-bear conflicts.
DEEP Releases Annual State of the Bears Report
Connecticut’s black bear population continues to increase, and the thousands of human-bear conflicts reported each year follow a long-term increasing trend. While a majority of the reported conflicts take place in the western half of Connecticut, residents are reporting issues with bears across the state. Roughly two thirds of the reported conflicts involve bird feeders and trash. From conflict reports to ongoing research efforts, the State of the Bears report provides the
most up-to-date information on Connecticut’s black bear population.
To avoid human-bear conflicts in your yard, it is essential to properly manage birdfeeders, garbage, and other food attractants. Access to these attractants directly leads to bears becoming comfortable around people and associating homes and backyards as good places to find food. The best approach to managing wildlife conflicts is preventing them in the first place.
View the 2026 report . . .
“Taking Off from Water” by Megan Song.
Winner of the 2026 Connecticut Junior Conservation (Duck) Stamp Art Contest
Congratulations to Mansfield resident, Megan Song (grade 8), whose remarkable acrylic painting of a common goldeneye, entitled “Taking Off from Water”, was selected as the “Best in Show” for the 2026 Connecticut Junior Conservation (Duck) Stamp Contest.
Megan’s painting will be featured on the 2027 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp! Funds from the sale of these stamps go directly to conserving wetlands in Connecticut. Since 1993, nearly 4,000 acres of wetlands have been enhanced or restored through this program, providing critical habitat not only for waterfowl but for a wide range of wildlife that depends on wetlands.
Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamps can be purchased by hunters, collectors, conservationists, and others for $17 each wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold: participating town clerks and retail agents, DEEP Licensing and Revenue (79 Elm Street in Hartford), and through DEEP's Online Outdoor Licensing System or the online DEEP Store.
More on the annual art contest . . .
Black bear plastic mural in progress.
Community Art Workshop at Sessions Woods this Saturday!
Join the Wildlife Division's Outreach Program and Dr. Kat Owens on Saturday, April 18, for an educational, wildlife-themed community art workshop at Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area in Burlington.
Following Dr. Owens' presentation that took place on Saturday, April 11, attendees will continue assembling a life-size portrait of a black bear made from repurposed plastic packaging. Once complete, the bear portrait will be displayed at Sessions Woods.
All are welcome to stop by at any point during the workshop and participate for any amount of time. Additional activities will include scavenger hunts in the Sessions Woods exhibit area and along the Forest Meadow trail, as well as a craft activity table for kids. Coffee and tea will be provided, but please bring your own reusable mug.
Black bears consume plastic packaging when they find food in garbage bins, which can lead to health problems. Access to food waste in garbage containers trains bears to look for food around our homes and yards and can lead to serious bear-human conflicts.
To see examples of artwork by Dr. Owens, visit KatOwens.com.
Register for the workshop . . .
Properly installed electric fencing is remarkably effective at preventing conflicts with black bears and other wildlife.
Live Wire Alert! Register for an Electric Fence Workshop
For those interested in preventing conflicts with black bears and other wildlife, the Wildlife Division is offering free workshops that will primarily focus on protecting apiaries, livestock, crops, and more through electric fencing.
Whether you are considering the use of electric fencing and are unsure of where to start, or if you had difficulty with your electric fence setup in the past, this workshop guides participants through the setting up an effective electric fence. This is often a worthwhile investment to avoid costly losses or damage from black bears. Registration is required to attend.
Register for an upcoming workshop . . .
Wild turkeys courtesy of Matt Balnis.
Spring Turkey Season Is Around the Corner
The 2026 Spring Turkey Hunting Season runs from Wednesday, April 29, to Saturday, May 30. Turkey hunting requires a great deal of skill and advance planning to be safe and successful.
While Connecticut has one of the best hunting safety records in the country, visitors to public hunting areas are encouraged to wear fluorescent orange to improve their visibility to other users of the land.
Junior Hunter Training Days: Each year, Connecticut designates specific days when experienced adult hunters are encouraged to take a youth hunting, helping them learn safe and effective hunting practices, develop observational skills, and gain confidence and a comfort level they need to discover a passion for hunting and the outdoors. This year, the spring turkey junior hunter training days will take place on Saturday, April 18, through Saturday, April 25, 2026 (excluding Sunday on state land).
Wild bergamot is an excellent native plant that attracts a variety of essential pollinators.
If You Plant It, They Will Come! Native Plant Availability List
The greatest threat to wildlife is loss of habitat, which is exacerbated by the prevalence of non-native and invasive plant species on our landscape. Most residents seeking to make a difference for Connecticut’s wildlife do not have to look far. Enhancing your backyard habitat by removing invasive species and adding native plants can make a significant difference for wildlife, including a wide variety of essential pollinators such as bees, butterflies,
moths, and even flies.
The Connecticut Native Tree, Shrub, and Perennial Availability List highlights Connecticut businesses that grow and/or sell native trees, shrubs, and perennial plants. The list was compiled by the Wildlife Division and UCONN Extension Service from a survey of wholesale and retail businesses.
Now that spring has sprung, it is a great time to get outside and decide what native plants you can add to your outdoor space and work towards creating a yard that is rich in biodiversity. That is one powerful way to make a difference.
View the Native Plant Availability List . . .
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station's recent fact sheets highlight five science-based actions the public can take to support wild bees and monarchs.
New Resources Available to Support Pollinators
Pollinators are essential to healthy ecosystems and food production, yet many species are facing serious declines. Connecticut is home to a remarkable diversity of wild bees, each with unique needs and conservation challenges. Effective bee conservation is not one-size-fits-all, and understanding their unique needs is the first step. Monarch butterflies have also declined across their range. To increase awareness about how to best support wild bees and monarchs, scientists at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station have released new fact sheets that
highlight five science-based actions the public can take to support wild bees and monarchs.
Learn how to support bees and monarchs . . .
Piping plover courtesy of Darrell Bumbala.
Shorebirds Return to Connecticut Shores
Many shorebirds, including the piping plover, least tern, and American oystercatcher, are making their annual return to Connecticut’s shoreline from their wintering grounds. It won’t be long before some pairs start taking care of eggs.
Due to heavy development along Connecticut’s coast, these state-listed shorebirds have very limited habitat to raise their young. Other challenges include off-leash dogs and overcrowding from pedestrian beach traffic, which can scare birds off their eggs or even result in eggs or young being stepped on. The combination of these factors makes raising young incredibly stressful and hazardous.
By respecting the fencing and yellow signs indicating piping plover and tern nesting sites, you can help make it possible for these birds to keep their eggs properly incubated and successfully raise their young!
Upcoming Events:
The Wildlife Division will be participating in the following events in the near future:
- Community Art Workshop: Saturday, April 18, from 2:30-5:30 p.m. at Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area. Register here.
- Electric Fence Workshops: Details on locations, times, and registration can be found here.
Who We Are
The Wildlife Division is part of the Bureau of Natural Resources within the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). The Bureau is charged with managing the state’s natural resources (particularly fish, wildlife, and forests) through a program of research, management, public education, and regulation. The Wildlife Division is
comprised of several programs that work together to conserve and manage Connecticut's wildlife.
Contact Us
Email: deep.ctwildlife@ct.gov
Phone: 860-424-3011
Wildlife Website: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEPWildlife
Hunting Information: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEPHunting
Office Directory: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/wildlife/wildlife-division-office-directory
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are seeking a communication aid or service, have limited proficiency in English, wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint, or require some other accommodation, including equipment to facilitate virtual participation, please contact the DEEP Office of Diversity and Equity at 860-418-5910 or by email at deep.accommodations@ct.gov. Any person needing an accommodation for hearing impairment may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. In order to facilitate efforts to provide an accommodation, please request all accommodations as soon as possible following notice of any agency hearing, meeting, program or event.
