Bear densities in the Piedmont and Tidewater aren’t particularly high. Steffen emphasized that the VDGIF is not looking for Northern Piedmont populations to increase, primarily because a high bear population in an area of dense human population usually creates problems for both the bears and the people near them.

Conversely, the biologist noted that the VDGIF would like to see more bears in southwest Virginia. This area includes all of the counties south and west of Craig, Roanoke, Montgomery, Floyd and Carroll and domains such as Scott, Washington and Tazewell. The rugged terrain and relatively small human population offer the potential for future population growth for this big-game animal.

Steffen also notes that the VDGIF has a population growth objective for much of the Southern Piedmont and Tidewater. The counties slated for higher bear populations are included in an area bounded by Mecklenburg, Charlotte, Prince Edward, Cumberland, Amelia, Dinwiddie, Prince George, Surry, Isle of Wight and Southampton.

Ideally, though, the black bear population in this region will grow slowly. Remember, explained the biologist, that while bear enthusiasts of different kinds might desire an increase, some farmers, orchard owners and beehive operators, to name just three groups, might not be so thrilled about a rapid rise in bear numbers. The VDGIF is hoping that bear numbers will stabilize in other Piedmont counties as Pittsylvania, Halifax, Campbell, Appomattox and Buckingham.

Currently, there are three different bear seasons from which the VDGIF can gather data, plus the bear hound training season. Information on bear age is gleaned from a tooth that must be detached as part of the check station process. Sportsmen are also reminded that all bears must be checked at an official bear check station. A list of check stations is available on the VDGIF Web site or by calling (804) 367-1000. Bruins cannot be checked through the telephone checking system. Here are the season dates for this year: A statewide bear archery season — Oct. 14-Nov. 11.
Muzzleloading (certain counties) — Nov. 14-17.
Firearms (certain western counties) — Nov. 27-Jan. 6; Southwest (some counties), Dec. 4-16; and Chesapeake, Suffolk and Virginia Beach, Nov. 6-Jan. 6. Hound Training — Western, Aug. 12-Sept. 30; Eastern (counties of Brunswick, Greensville, Lunenburg and Mecklenburg), Dec. 4-16.

Only one black bear can be killed per license year, and it must be at least 100 pounds live weight or 75 pounds field dressed (all internal organs removed). Females with cubs may not be harvested.

Please note that the bear regulations are often very county and region specific. Study carefully the Hunting & Trapping in Virginia regulations for 2006-2007.

Also, Steffen offers some fascinating information about bear reproduction and harvest.

“Most of the bears harvested are males and nearly half of them are only 2 years old,” he said. “This high mortality rate on young male bears means that we don’t seem to have many older, dominant males in our hunted bear populations. We also now know that the annual variations we sometimes see in our bear harvests are related to the number of 2-year-old bears in the population.

“Peaks in our bear harvest coincide with large numbers of 2-year-old bears in the population. The periodic appearance of many 2-year-olds happens when a mast failure causes synchronization in female breeding. This synchrony results in a bumper crop of cubs during some years.”