The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection wants residents to be bear aware with bear activity on the rise this time of year.

Officials say black bear activity increases in early spring following the winter denning season. The DEEP says incidents of human conflicts with bears is increasing.

According to DEEP officials, two humans were attacked by bears last year. In addition, bears entered homes 67 times, which is up from the previous record of 45.

Bears are also reproducing across the state, continuing a long-term trend of expansion into more cities and towns. Just seven years ago, bears with cubs were reported in fewer than 50 towns, while over the last two years, bears with cubs have been reported in more than 90 different towns.

The most important step to prevent an encounter is to remove food attractants such as bird seed and unsecured garbage.

Click here for a complete list of bear safety tips.

Bear sightings reported by the public provide valuable information to assist DEEP in monitoring changes in the black bear population. Anyone who observes a black bear in Connecticut is encouraged to report the sighting on DEEP's website or send an email to deep.wildlife@ct.gov.