Overview
The black bear is a large mammal with powerful limbs, a relatively small head, small ears, and black fur, although several less common color phases (e.g., cinnamon) can occur. Its muzzle or snout is light brown or tan in color and some bears may have a small, white chest blaze. This species has five toes, each with a well developed claw, on both the front and hind feet and also has teeth adapted for feeding on plants and animals. Adult females typically weigh 100-200 lbs. whereas adult males are larger, weighing 150-400 lbs.
When natural foods are scarce, bears will turn to whatever food resources are most available. As a result, conflicts between bears and agricultural producers, homeowners, outdoor recreationists, and other affected parties may arise where bears cause damage to personal property or crops as they search for food. Even so, because of their inherent value, every effort should be made by Virginians to co-exist with bears.
Black bears rarely attack humans and very few deaths have been attributed to them. However, black bears can become aggressive, particularly those animals that have become conditioned to humans (e.g., bears that frequent campgrounds or landfills), and such encounters can result in serious injury or death. Therefore, it is best not to provoke a bear, tempt one with food, or encourage bears to remain around the home, farmstead, or campsite.
To reduce the potential for damage to personal property, precautions should be taken before a bear develops an interest in or gains access to potential food sources. As with most wildlife damage problems, no single technique exists that will provide absolute protection from bear depredations. However, certain measures that are initiated in a timely fashion, maintained properly, and applied with an understanding of the habits or behaviors of bears can reduce the likelihood of significant damage. Individuals residing within the bear’s range should remember that although bears generally are shy creatures, they are intelligent and possess good long-term memory. Additionally, these are wild animals; they will react to threatening situations accordingly. Therefore, any proposed damage management program for bears must take these traits into account.
Preventive Measures:
To reduce the potential for damage by black bears around the farm or home, don’t encourage their presence or attract them to your property. Methods to accomplish this include:
- exercise good husbandry practices on the farm and around the home (i.e., be neat and clean),
- remove all potential sources of supplemental food, such as readily available garbage or refuse, pet foods, bird feeders (especially suet after late-March), or animal carcasses,
- move domestic farm animals into protected areas and away from areas with thick tree and shrub cover,
- maintain well-mowed, cleared corridors (of up to 50 yards where feasible) around beehives, agricultural crops, and livestock holding areas, and
- alternate or strip plant row crops, particularly sweet corn, to provide less protective or hiding cover for bears.
Outdoor recreationists should never feed bears or improperly store foods in or near the picnic or camp site — this will only attract bears and habituate them to humans. Campers should learn how to properly hang food well above the ground and between two trees — remember, black bears are excellent tree climbers.
Non-lethal Controls:
Non-lethal controls are used to prevent or deter a bear from gaining access to property or a commodity. Examples of non-lethal measures include use of:
- loud noises (e.g., horns, clapping, shouting, pyrotechnic salutes), bright lights, or other harassment measures,
- temporary or permanent electric or heavy woven-wire fencing. The effectiveness of electric fencing often can be enhanced by baiting it with peanut butter, bacon grease, or sardine oil,
- bear hounds or guard dogs to ward off depredating bears,
- habitat manipulation (e.g., removal of protective cover) to make a site unsuitable for or unattractive to bears, and
- state wildlife personnel to capture and relocate an offending bear, where appropriate and feasible (note: it is illegal for homeowners or private individuals to capture a live bear without special authorization. Consult the nearest Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Regional Office for technical assistance or additional information relating to the translocation of problem bears).
Currently, only Capsaicin (concentrated hot pepper spray) is registered for use on bears as a personal protection repellent. Spray canisters used to propel this material have a maximum range of about 30 feet, so effective use of this material demands that an applicant be in close proximity to a bear. However, recent research has shown that bears may actually be attracted to the taste of weathered Capsaicin residue, so care is needed in how and where this material is applied. There are no fumigants or toxicants registered by the Environmental Protection Agency for use on black bears.
Lethal Controls:
If all attempts to deter bear depredation with preventive or non-lethal measures fail, removal of an offending animal may be necessary. Where damage to fruit trees, crops, livestock, or personal property has occurred, the owner or lessee of the property may receive authorization to destroy an offending bear, but only after such damage has been reported to and verified by the conservation police officer (CPO). The CPO will then issue a written permit that clearly states any limitations on taking the bear (e.g., length of time permit is valid, authorized methods of kill, disposition of carcass) and establishes how and when any successful take must be reported. To report suspected damage by a bear, to receive help in removing a troublesome bear, or to request a permit to take a bear, contact your local CPO by calling the Virginia Department of Inland Fisheries regional Office. This number can be obtained from the Who to Call page.
Legal Considerations
In Virginia black bears are deemed a game species. Black bear can only be taken during the designated hunting season §29.1-100, §29.1-513. If the preventative measures outlined below do not prove fruitful in deterring black bears from causing damage to a homeowners property, the homeowner can contact the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) to have a Game Warden visit their property who will deem the best course of action for dealing with the problematic animal. The contact for a local game warden can be found on the Who to Call page.
In Virginia it is illegal to:
- trap bear at any time. 4VAC15-50-100
- kill a bear anytime other than during a defined bear hunting season. §29.1-100,§29.1-513
- poison any animal (including bear) other than rats and mice on your property. 4VAC15-40-50
In Virginia it is legal to:
- contact VDGIF to access damage and determine if a damage permit is warranted.
- The VDGIF reserves the right to trap and move problem bear. §29.1-529