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Connecticut: Urge your legislators to OPPOSE a bear hunt

Some legislators have proposed a bear trophy hunt that threatens the safety of our small bear population and goes against the values of most voters. Scientific research shows that hunting bears does not reduce conflicts or make people safer. In fact, programs focused on securing food sources are the most effective way to reduce human-bear conflicts.

Allowing a trophy hunt for bears perpetuates cruelty, and it’s been shown that hunting increases the number of orphaned cubs, who often die from starvation, exposure or predation when their mothers are killed. This practice is inhumane and harms Connecticut’s small bear population. Instead of cruel hunting practices, we should invest in real, science-backed solutions to protect these animals and prevent conflicts.

TAKE ACTION

Please call your state legislators today and urge them to oppose any bills that open a bear hunt. You can say: "I care about animals and I vote. As your constituent, I strongly urge you to oppose any bills that would allow a bear trophy hunt. Connecticut should focus on science-based conflict reduction strategies and protecting our bears."

After your call, please follow up by sending a message using the form below to ensure your voice is heard.

This action alert is for U.S. residents.

Your Message

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Dear Legislator,

I care about animals and I vote. As your constituent, I am writing to express my strong opposition to any bill that proposes a bear trophy hunt in Connecticut. Black bear hunts neither reduce human-bear conflicts nor make our communities safer. In fact, hunting bears can worsen conflicts. A bevy of scientific studies show that securing food sources is a much more effective and durable solution to reducing conflicts than randomly killing bears.

A 2024 Connecticut human-bear conflict study found that Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) rarely verifies bear complaints, leading to exaggerated reports.

People must make food attractants or their farmed animals inaccessible by using commonsense solutions like employing bear-resistant cans or putting electric fences around chicken coops and beehives.

Additionally, bear trophy hunting perpetuates cruelty and goes against the values of Connecticut’s voters. Hunters kill mother bears leaving orphaned cubs to starve, face predation or succumb to exposure. Also, DEEP carries out a controversial and radical policy of killing orphaned bear cubs who weigh under 60 pounds, and this must stop.

I urge you to vote against any bills that would open a bear hunt, and stand for compassionate, science-backed solutions to prevent conflicts and protect Connecticut’s small bear population.

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