Bears in Connecticut in April

Yes, April is a good month to see bears in Connecticut. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 112 of the 996 sightings logged across the year (11.2%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

T

By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

American Black Bear photographed in ConnecticutAmerican Black Bear photographed in ConnecticutAmerican Black Bear photographed in Connecticut
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for bears in Connecticut

11.2%

of yearly sightings

112

records in April

#4

busiest month of 12

996

verified records a year

March 6.2%, April 11.2%, May 14.6%. Busiest month is June at 20.2%.

Best months: June, May, August

996 verified observations of bears in Connecticut, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When bears are recorded in Connecticut

Peak month

June

201 records (20.2% of the year)

Quietest month

February

12 records

MonthObservationsShare
January161.6%
February121.2%
March626.2%
April11211.2%
Maypeak14514.6%
Junepeak20120.2%
July10810.8%
Augustpeak11511.5%
September939.3%
October656.5%
November404%
December272.7%

Bears you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
American Black Bear996

In Connecticut, April carries 11.2% of the year's bears sightings, about 2.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from March (6.2%) into April, and it heads toward May (14.6%) after. The busiest month is June (20.2%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The bears most often recorded in Connecticut are American Black Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a April split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in April itself.

Which bears you are most likely to see

  • American Black Bear996 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

Plan your bear trip in Connecticut

Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see bears in Connecticut in April?+

Yes. April accounts for 112 of the 996 verified bears sightings logged in Connecticut across the year, which is 11.2% of the annual total.

Is April a good time to see bears in Connecticut?+

April is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though June and May is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for bears in Connecticut?+

June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and August, based on 996 verified observations.

Which bears are you most likely to see in Connecticut?+

The most-recorded species in Connecticut are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.