Where I live there are more bears now than there were back when the early settlers lived here. (source: CT DEEP). Their numbers are rapidly increasing every year due to free food and locals who think they are "cute" and instead of scaring them away, they leave food out or just let them feel safe waking into their garage or around their yard. This is a well established suburban family neighborhood. There are also a lot of seniors who live here. Things have changed and the state needs to let people hunt bears. I don't like killing animals but in the past they would have starved and died anyway. People here don't feel safe letting their kids play outside and seniors can't even go for a walk anymore.