HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - The Connecticut Senate has defeated a bill that would have expanded when farmers can kill nuisance wildlife, including bears, which destroy crops.
Tuesday’s bill was a scaled-back version of legislation that originally authorized regulated bear hunting in Litchfield County.
Instead, the Senate approved a second bill Tuesday that requires the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to provide the General Assembly with a report on non-lethal ways to control the bear population. That report is due no later than February 1, 2020.
People were interested in these podcasts
Republican Sen. Craig Miner of Litchfield, who supports a bear hunt, says his constituents already use non-lethal management practices, but it’s not enough.
Republican Sen. Kevin Witkos of Canton says he’s “in fear” it will take a human mauling or death for lawmakers to ultimately pass tougher legislation.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.