“Bear hunt” encourages safe interaction for entire community

In a world filled with recent uncertainty and anxiety due to the COVID-19 outbreak, an unusual bear invasion in Hampton is easing minds and instilling a sense of togetherness.

Hampton resident Denielle Conlon is encouraging fellow residents to participate in the Great Hampton Bear Hunt. All hunters need to participate is a keen eye and a safe, social distancing appropriate way to get around town.

Homeowners are encouraged to put a stuffed bear on their decks or in a window for hunters to find. The hunt challenges hunters to find as many bears as they can while out and about.

Conlon last Tuesday put a call out to have 500 bears displayed throughout Hampton and just a day later, the community had almost hit the halfway point of the goal.

“When I drove through town around 3 p.m. on Wednesday, we found 235 stuffed animals,” she said. “In just about 24 hours, that is a testament to the type of community we live in.”

Conlon said she got the inspiration for the idea for the bear hunt from her and her husband’s hometowns in Allison and Green, where both communities responded to a similar bear hunt with 200-plus stuffed animals. She said the support for the movement so far is heartwarming because of the gravity of the current situation.

“As a teacher who is away from her students and a mom who is having to care for her own children, connecting to others is so very important,” she said. “It warms your heart and gives you hope that things are going to turn out ok.”

She said she encourages people to continue to both put bears on display and venture out to find the furry friends throughout the community. The adventure aspect of the bear hunt is the ability to get out and participate in a safe activity while being out of the home, but those who wish to participate without leaving enjoy the project as well.

“I had many people thank me for giving their family a way to connect and get out of the house during the time of social distancing,” she said. “I also saw a few people sitting in their window, waiting for people to drive by and wave or honk.”