(304) 558-2234 additional sources of mortality when it is placed in unfamiliar territory and may In addition, poaching, or illegal killing, is also a threat to black bears in Virginia. Bears are most active at dawn and dusk but also are seen by visitors during daylight hours.They have a keen sense of smell, hearing, and eyesight at short distances. These research findings were used to modify bear hunting seasons to protect female black bears West Virginia will always have human-bear conflicts with our robust Justice said. Katherine.edwards@fairfaxcounty.gov. Over the past three years, the information gathered from these reports and submission of biological samples has helped DWR to tailor response protocols and provide better information to the public, both of which depend on the severity of the infestation. As guests, proper behavior and etiquette on our part can contribute to a safe and enjoyable visit for us as our hosts. A hibernating animal will experience a slow heartbeat rate as well as lower body temperatures matching that of the environment. increase the spread of parasites and diseases. According to data from recreational sightings, hunter harvest, road kills, and Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) field staff, bears occur in at least 92 of Virginia's 98 counties and cities. When spring arrives and the snow begins to melt, bears start to wake up after months of hibernation. The state Division of Natural Resources conducted a poll to elect a state animal as a symbol for West Virginia in 1954-55. Accurate data on mange-affected bears is helping us track spread and potential modes of transmission and create procedures to quickly confirm cases in new areas. year-round residents of the area within 3 miles of city limits. There are some clues, though, that help the bear know when it's time to find a den: shorter days, low food sources, and dropping temperatures. Shy and secretive, the sighting of a bear is a rare treat for most Virginians. Better management and changing ecological conditions have resulted in increases in black bear numbers throughout their geographic range. Source | Reference Links | Additional Resources, State Symbols: West Virginia Legislature for Kids, Official State Symbols of West Virginia: WV Legislature, Email Print Quick Black Bear Facts: North American Bear Center, Black bear and cubs in hibernation - BBC wildlife. Hibernation can last days, weeks, or months depending upon the species. Nor, upon notification by department personnel, shall any person continue to place, distribute, or allow the placement of any food, mineral, carrion, trash, or similar substances for any purpose if the placement of these materials results in the presence of bear. It is your responsibility to remove the attractants from your property once a bear discovers the food source. Bears typically den (hibernate) in fall (late October-early December) and emerge in spring (March-April). Give the bear plenty of room to escape. An adult male can gain over 100 pounds in a few weeks when acorn production is heavy. Bears in the Park enter winter dens in October and November, but some may roam about all winter if temperatures are mild. If bears become used to approaching people and eating human food (we call that habituation), the bear no longer seeks the natural food it is supposed to be foraging for. Can I trap and relocate aggressive bears? Bears are easily aroused and may be active during warm winter days. Bears visited 243 bait sites that accounted for a visitation rate of 56%. Fact: Bears use body language and vocalizations to show their intentions. Running could prompt the bear to give chase, and you cannot outrun a bear. Virginia Black Bear Management Plan. Bears are omnivorous and their diets vary seasonally. This practice only strengthens a bears association of humans and food. West Virginia Black Bear Seasons to Change in 2021: A proposed change to West Virginia's black bear seasons may be in your future. Virginias first mange-affected bear was diagnosed in a bear from Rockingham County in 1994. Bears may feed up to 20 hours per day, accumulating fat (energy) prior to winter denning. Move outside garbage or compost containers into a bear resistant shed, garage, or other secured location or prevent access with electric fencing. Species Profile for American Black Bear (Ursus americanus). Bears, National Park Service Because bears are relatively solitary, the biggest risk for environmental transmission likely occurs under conditions where they congregate, either naturally (e.g., dens) or unnaturally (e.g., garbage cans, bait piles, bird feeders and other food resources). They are typically nocturnal and generally avoid people . In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Disturbing garbage (i.e., trash cans or dumpsters) accounts for twice the damage Store food and coolers suspended from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and four feet out from the tree trunk. Black bears can be found all along the Appalachian Mountains, in the Piedmont area, as well as sporadically along the coast. Handling of a mange-infested bear should be minimized to avoid unnecessary exposure. When bears emerge from their dens, understandably hungry, they immediately begin to search for food. Young bears become independent the following spring. Bears are resilient animals and some do survive infestations of mange. The annual cycle of black bear activity and hibernation has five stages: 1. hibernation 2. walking hibernation 3. normal activity 4. hyperphagia 5. fall transition. Bear Tracks and Trails. In addition, peoples attitudes toward black bears have softened over time. Make sure children are close to you or within your sight at all times. This creates a management and safety problem for park visitors and bears. DWR takes the problem of mange and its potential implications on black bears seriously. Their diet is mostly plant material, but also includes small mammals, carrion and garbage. If problems are ignored, property damage can get worse, and bears may lose their distrust of humans and come to rely solely on unnatural foods. Some bears may not den at all if they continue to find sufficient food. The predictions of classroom debates devolving into gunfights, students angrily confronting professors with a gun over a bad grade, and a mass exodus of students and staff in light of the new law wont come to pass, and campus carry will become a non-issue just like it is in states like Texas, Kansas, and Utah. of a bear in their yard or neighborhood causes fear of property damage and for Since 2018, reports have increased in frequency and geographic spread, and mange has been confirmed in 14 counties. Females will have their cubs around February and nurse them in the den. Males commonly weigh between 130 to 500 pounds. Grey wolves havent lived in the wild in West Virginia since 1900. Breeding occurs from mid-June to mid-July, but in the eastern deciduous forest, mating season can extend into August. Fact: A bear stands on its hind legs to get a better view and smell of the surroundings. All materials are posted on the site strictly for informational and educational purposes! While bears are not commonly encountered in Fairfax County, multiple bear sightings are reported in the county each spring and summer as bears wander into residential areas in search for food. Bear populations persisted however in the Allegheny Mountains to the west, the descendents of which are the most likely source of the current park population. Alaska has a larger population of Black Bears than any other U.S. state by far with an estimated 100,000 or more. West Virginia began liberalizing bear hunting seasons in 2008 as part of the West Hiking at dawn or dusk may increase your chances of meeting a bear. Join us and I will tell you everything. The Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), a treaty among more than 120 nations, provides measures to curb illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products across international boundaries, help to protect the black bear from poaching. Den sites within the park are most commonly located within hollow trees but have also been found in snags, rock crevices, brush piles, and ground excavations. When visitors become careless and do not properly store their food, bears are undoubtedly going to find it; their sense of smell is amazing. Eyesight at longer distances is poor. Residents are reminded that feeding black bears is a violation of state law as well as a misguided disservice to our state animal, according to Colin Carpenter, black bear project leader for the Division of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Resources Section. Natural Sows become sexually mature at age 3 or 4. On rare occasions, yearling bears may even stay with the adult female until the next denning season. 2. By the early 1900s, bear populations were nearly eliminated from lands that are now within the park. They may be easily aroused from their dens. Adult black bears typically weigh 100-300 pounds, but males can exceed 500 pounds. Fish and Wildlife Service declared this subspecies of cougar, or mountain lion, extinct in 2015. On Wednesday morning, West Virginia Gov. Black bears are primarily active at dusk and dawn. Hunters should take precautions if handling and/or disposing of the pelt and carcass. Distinguishing nervous behaviors (like huffing or jaw popping) from inquisitive ones (like standing up to get a good whiff of something interesting) can help make encounters positive. Black bears have small eyes, rounded ears, a long snout, large non retractable claws, a large body, a short tail, and shaggy hair. The most important step right now is continuing to work with the public to collect reports of mange-infested bears. Foraging activities by bears probably help with decomposition in forested environments where they tear apart logs and snags to gain access to insects or where they may excavate plants from the ground. Secure it with your food and then pack it out. Female black bears usually breed every other year and cubs are born from early January to mid-February. Bennett transferred to Ellisville (Miss.) Residents and visitors to Virginia can minimize negative interactions with bears by following some simple guidelines. Hibernators the size of chipmunks hibernate differently. as they prepare for hibernation. Bears are agile and quick, and they are excellent climbers. The students, teachers, and sportsmen of West Virginia chose the black bear as the animal symbol for their state by a large margin. There is no such thing as a wild black panther living in West Virginia. Equipment (dog leashes, dog box, etc.) If there is a bear in your yard and it approaches you, make yourself look big and make loud noises. Starting on July 1st of next year, West Virginias public colleges and universities will no longer be gun-free zones where the right to bear arms is not allowed. 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