You probably think bears belong in the mountains or deep in the wilderness. Maybe you imagine them fishing in remote Alaskan streams or wandering through national parks where tourists keep their distance. The thing is, bears are showing up in places you’d never expect. We’re talking about your neighborhood. Your backyard. Even your driveway.
Across America, cities and suburbs are experiencing something that would’ve been unthinkable just a generation ago. Bears are moving in, and they’re getting comfortable. These aren’t isolated incidents in far-flung places anymore. They’re happening in towns and cities where people assumed wildlife encounters were a thing of the past. So let’s dive in.
West Hartford, Connecticut – The Undisputed Bear Capital
Let’s be real, if there were a trophy for bear sightings, West Hartford would take home the gold. West Hartford takes the cake by a large margin for the most bear sightings with an incredible 1,093 reported to CT DEEP in the year 2025 alone. That’s roughly three bears spotted every single day in one town.
It’s hard to say for sure why West Hartford has become such a magnet for these animals. Some experts think it’s because Hartford County offers the perfect mix of wooded areas close to residential neighborhoods with plenty of accessible food sources. Bears are smart creatures, adapting to urban life faster than anyone predicted…