According to the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife, human-bear conflicts in ski towns like Stowe and Killington have escalated significantly amid a surging black bear population that reached an estimated 7,500 to 8,900 animals. Rising interactions—ranging from home break-ins to vehicle entries—have pushed local communities to a fever pitch, forcing law enforcement, municipal officials, and wildlife managers to rethink garbage ordinances and public safety protocols.
Surging Black Bear Populations Strain Vermont Ski Towns
Vermont’s black bear population has roughly doubled over the past eight years, far exceeding the state wildlife department’s target range. According to Jaclyn Comeau, a wildlife biologist and black bear project leader for the Department of Fish & Wildlife, prior to 2018 the state rarely logged more than 200 incidents a year, but recent figures typically exceed 1,400 annual reports, with early indications suggesting the state could reach or exceed its record of 1,700 conflicts.
Prime bear habitat overlapping with vacation homes, restaurants, and overflowing dumpsters creates what Comeau calls a "consistent recipe for high numbers of human-bear conflicts." In Stowe, nestled between two mountain ranges and surrounded by state forest, game wardens responded to at least 40 bear incidents in June alone, pulling law enforcement away from other duties.
Law Enforcement Shifts Tactics Following Controversial Shootings
The growing frequency of urban foraging has placed police officers in direct conflict with wildlife. In early June, a 200- to 300-pound bear broke into the kitchen of The Matterhorn Bar & Restaurant, consuming an entire jug of sauce and rummaging through frozen chicken patties in the walk-in cooler, according to a Stowe police report. Acting on instructions from a state game warden, Stowe Police Corporal Jamie Bunavicz fatally shoot the bear as it exited the establishment.
The shooting provoked intense community backlash, according to Police Chief Brooke O’Steen, with callers and social media users condemning the police action and threatening boycotts against the restaurant. In response, O’Steen altered her department’s approach, prompting officers to evaluate whether a bear has committed an offense before intervening, rather than simply responding to chase animals away.
Pro Tip: Secure Attractants
Wildlife officials recommend taking down birdfeeders in the spring, securing chicken coops with electric fencing, and keeping household and commercial garbage strictly enclosed to prevent habituating bears to human food sources.
Community Divisions and Policy Debates Over Waste Management
Stowe’s municipal leaders have attempted to curb the crisis through regulatory updates. Last year, the Select Board updated local ordinances to require homes and businesses to keep garbage contained in dumpsters and quickly clean up messes under threat of fines.
However, enforcement has sparked friction between business owners and local activists. Brenna Galdenzi, leader of the advocacy group Protect Our Wildlife, argues that voluntary compliance is insufficient and contends the town should help subsidize bear-proof dumpsters. Business owners like Mike Buananno, second-generation owner of Stowe Cinema, have received multiple tickets totaling $300 for overflowing dumpsters and expressed frustration with citations rather than financial assistance for expensive bear-proof infrastructure.
"It doesn’t matter how much reinforcing you do of the dumpsters, they figure out how to rip the lid right off," Buananno said. "The town’s answer is to write citations."
State Management Proposals Face Local Opposition
To manage the expanding population, the Department of Fish & Wildlife has proposed lengthening the bear hunting season by several weeks and allowing hunters to take two bears a year in certain regions. Last year, hunters killed 1,022 bears in Vermont, while 116 were struck by vehicles and 45 were killed during human-bear conflicts.
Advocacy groups like Protect Our Wildlife oppose the proposed hunting rule changes, maintaining that hunting cannot resolve the underlying attractant issues. Conversely, Chris Bradley, president of the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, defends the harvest as a traditional and necessary part of effective wildlife management.
Did You Know?
While black bears are generally uninterested in humans, the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife tracked six injuries to people over an eight-year period, most resulting from a surprised bear attempting to evade a dog or human.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are black bear conflicts increasing in Vermont?
According to the Department of Fish & Wildlife, Vermont’s black bear population has surged to an estimated 7,500 to 8,900 animals due to recovering forests and abundant food supplies, leading to frequent encounters as bears seek food in residential areas and ski towns.
What are towns doing to prevent bear encounters?
Municipalities like Stowe have updated ordinances requiring homes and businesses to keep garbage securely contained in dumpsters and clean up messes promptly, backed by fines for non-compliance.
How do wildlife officials recommend securing residential properties?
State biologists advise residents to remove birdfeeders during warmer months, protect chicken coops with electric fencing, and ensure trash is stored in secure, bear-resistant containers.
Are black bears in Vermont a direct threat to humans?
State wildlife officials note that black bears are generally uninterested in humans and rarely attack, though conflicts can result in property damage, vehicle entries, and occasional defensive injuries when bears are startled.
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