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Are there Black Bears in Virginia?
What color is a black bear in Virginia?
Are there Black Bears in residential neighborhoods in Virginia?
How many bears are there in Virginia?
Where do bears live in Virginia?
Where to see Black Bears in Virginia?
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. Black bears capture human admiration and interest like few other wildlife species.
Aug 30, 2024 · Black bears have small eyes, rounded ears, a long snout, large non retractable claws, a large body, a short tail, and shaggy hair. In Virginia most black bears are true black in color unlike black bears found in more western states that can be shades of red, brown or blond.
- Shenandoah National Park. Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Shenandoah National Park is the top spot to go if you want to see black bears. It houses the highest concentration of bears in the state, with about 300-500 occupying the national park alone.
- Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Rescue. Wildlife like river otters, bobcats, and black bears thrive in the mid-Atlantic region near Suffolk. This area specifically contains one of the highest amounts of black bears in the entire state!
- Blue Ridge Parkway. This scenic parkway travels through the dense forests of Virginia and is where you can find some of the most bears in Virginia. However, we don’t recommend getting out of your car to get close!
- Douthat State Park. Deep in the Allegheny Mountains, this state park is teeming with bears. With 40 miles of trails as well as plenty of spots to camp, fish, and swim, you’re bound to see a black bear while exploring the great outdoors at Douthat State Park in Virginia.
May 26, 2023 · Last year, black bears were spotted in neighborhoods in Arlington, Richmond, and Chesapeake; they’ve shown up in Virginia Beach, and another roamed Northern Virginia this past fall. More bears mean more bear-human encounters.
Mar 9, 2021 · From numbers that had dwindled to around 1,000 at midcentury, Virginia’s black bears have been making a comeback. For the past few decades, thanks to reforestation and state management, the black bear has become more and more common in the commonwealth.
Black bears are becoming an increasingly common sight in Virginia—bears now live in almost every county! We are fortunate to have a healthy and sustainable population of these animals in the Commonwealth.
Mar 10, 2021 · Current estimates put the Virginia black bear population between 18,000 and 20,000. The typical bear ranges from 175 to 400 pounds — some can be larger — and they can live for 30 years or...
