2025 Mad River Valley Bear Contest is open

June 26, 2025  |  By Waterbury Roundabout

Have you seen a bear? (Or maybe two or three?) Many Vermonters encounter bears while walking, driving, or in backyards, gardens, and on farms because many Vermonters live in an active black bear habitat. 

The Mad River Valley Bear Initiative wants to hear bear stories from community members.

The organization is a volunteer group dedicated to fostering peaceful coexistence between humans and bears through education and outreach. This annual contest helps share real experiences people have had with bears, informing the initiative’s programs and outreach activities for the year ahead.

All ages are encouraged to enter the contest. Here’s how to enter:

• Report your bear sighting. Visit MRVBears.org and share what you saw, when, and where. If you need a paper form, email info@mrvbears.org.

• Feel free to get creative. Submit as a story, drawing, video, or poem—any form of expression is welcome. 

• Share your tips on keeping bears wild. Explain how you've kept bears away from human spaces, for example, with fencing, trash management, and composting ideas.

The contest will award prizes in kid and adult categories. Six winners will be randomly selected from Mad River Valley resident entries. The deadline to enter is Oct. 12. Know that contest organizers may share entries on the group’s website and social media and with local newspapers. 

The Mad River Bear Initiative includes Duxbury, Moretown, Fayston, Waitsfield, Warren and the Sugarbush and Mad River Glen ski resorts. The group has links on its website to more information from Vermont Fish & Wildlife and other sources about living with bears.