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State officials implore Vermonters to ‘redouble efforts at proactive coexistence’
Bears proliferate despite record hunting harvests
by VDC staff
If you’ve recently seen a bear wander through your neighborhood – as I and my neighbors did last month (see video) – you’re not alone. Vermont’s black bear population is skyrocketing despite record hunting seasons and officials’ earnest, repeated pleas for residents to keep the bears away from food like birdseed, trash, and chickens.
Vermont’s black bear population is estimated at 7,500 to 8,900 bears based on 2025 data, the most recent available, according to the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife. By contrast, the estimated population was just 5,500 in 2018, and has been rising since. This marks the fifth consecutive year that the bear population estimate is above the state’s objective of 3,500 to 5,500 bears.
The department uses a statistical model based on several parameters to generate its bear population estimate each year. These include hunter harvest data on the overall number, age and sex of harvested bears, as well as the number of bears killed outside of hunting season, including in vehicle collisions and severe human-wildlife conflicts.
“Our model shows the bear population has remained above our goal of 3,500 to 5,500 bears since 2021,” said Jaclyn Comeau, the department’s lead bear biologist. “Increasing frequency and severity of human-bear conflicts during this time also support the model results of a growing bear population.”
To better understand the drivers of this trend, the department launched a new research study on black bear reproduction last year. Initial results of this study are not anticipated until 2031, but once available, will complement the department’s approach to estimating Vermont’s bear population trends.
“With all signs pointing to sustained growth in Vermont’s black bear population and the number of severe human-bear conflicts reported to our department each year also increasing, we implore Vermonters to redouble their efforts at proactive coexistence with our bears,” said Comeau. “Keeping trash secured where bears cannot get it, protecting backyard chickens with an electric fence, keeping birdfeeders down until there is consistent snow on the ground and following bear-aware composting guidelines are the basic responsibilities of living in bear country. Advice on how to put these coexistence measures in place is available on our website and from our partners at BearWise.org.”
Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law (Act 148), effective since July 1, 2020, bans food scraps from landfills and requires residents and businesses to compost or otherwise divert organics.
In addition to proactive coexistence, Vermont’s bear management strategy relies on habitat conservation and a sustainable, regulated bear hunt. This year’s bear season runs September 1 through November 22. Despite harvests above the 10-year average for the past six consecutive years—including record harvests over 1,000 bears in both 2024 and 2025—Vermont’s bear population continues to grow.
Categories: Animals
All them whamenz who traded men in for bears… Hahahaha!
This is what happens when people complain about bear hunting, and dogs being used for bear hunting. People have been complaining for years and the hunters have cut back hunting for bear because people are choking them out. Get rid of the Democrats and the bears will probably come back to normal population. Democrats are more deadly than any bear. Democrats are Domestic Terrorists!
The “State” has a “GOAL” re how many bears should EXIST in Vermont? ? ? ? WOW.
Who do these people think they are? I think there are 10 times as many OF THEM as there should be.
“NO MOCKING”? Why? MOCKING is our best 1st amendment right.
More bears! Fewer politicians!
Black bear are a valuable resource…the hide ,tanned correctly, makes a darn nice throw warmer… put on your lap, in the rocking chair, warm our elders winters and the fat rendered is damn good leather dressing, and great for greasing the pans too, make bread ,cookies and pies. You need to skin carefully so’s not to cut any scent glands and the meat gives great power, but you need to cook it like a hog and cook it well. We’ve roasted one whole one on a spit, like roasting a whole hog, and it was excellent, and fed a number of us for some days.
With such an abundance statewide, one no longer needs to go the “Whole Hog” but can go the “Whole Bear” instead.
In the coming hard times, if the left gains more power, a great resource to feed, and serve families, when the leftist supply chains dry up, and folks are starving.
Yup.