when do bears hibernate in west virginia

Black bears are naturally shy animals and not known for aggressive behavior. Distribution: The American black bear is found only in North America. Black bear photo Roy Mac on Flickr (all rights reserved; used by permission). Join us and I will tell you everything. Black bears are thriving in Shenandoah National Park and in Virginia as a whole. 2. Some bears may not den at all if they continue to find sufficient food. Types of human-bear conflicts logged at West Virginia DNR District offices 2008 to 2017. If the carcass of a bear with signs of mange is removed from the harvest site, the hunter should try to dispose of the pelt by double-bagging or returning it to the site of harvest. If you see a bear, enjoy watching from a distance. After ensuring the bear has an escape route, make lots of noise to encourage it to leave. High 49F. as a result of recreational bear harvest. In reality, most problems caused by bears are really people problems. See answer (1) Best Answer. There are no definite rules about what to do if you meet a bear. Chance of rain 80%.. When bears emerge from their dens, understandably hungry, they immediately begin to search for food. Bears, National Park Service Dispose of garbage properly. Additional research is being considered that could provide information on survival, movements, transmission routes, and potential susceptibility of certain populations in Virginia. Visit the DWR Black Bear webpage for more information on living with black bears in Virginia as well as additional information on mange in black bears. The act of hibernating is instinctual. 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. You can help your community and the bear population by keeping your property clear of food attractants and communicating with your neighbors to resolve community bear concerns. The American Black Bear lives throughout much of the continent, including northern Canada and Alaska south into Mexico, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Fact: Because black bears can tree their cubs, it is rare for them to injure a person in that situation. Fish and Wildlife Service declared this subspecies of cougar, or mountain lion, extinct in 2015. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has established bear guidelines that promote public safety, protect property, and conserve bear populations. Wipe table and clean eating area thoroughly. Bears are omnivorous and their diets vary seasonally. Bears typically den (hibernate) in fall (late October-early December) and emerge in spring (March-April). Black bears (Ursus americanus) are 5 to 6 feet long (nose to rump), typically stand 2.5 to 3 feet at the shoulder, and weigh 100 to 400 lbs. Black bears breed in June or July and females breed only every other year. Bear, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Sort By: This bear will quickly lose its fear of typical human deterrents and could present Species: Ursus americanus. should be disinfected (e.g., 40% bleach solution or other disinfectant cleaner for equipment and clothing) if suspected of being in contact with a mange-infested bear or with a dog that has come into contact with a mange-infested bear. The adult black bear has small eyes, rounded ears, a long snout, a large body, and a short tail. Make sure children are close to you or within your sight at all times. If you see a mother bear and cubs give them some space, retreat slowly, and do not scream or yell. Black bears gorge during the Fall on acorns and whatever else they can find, then stay in a den (usually a hollow tree) during the winter. Quietly back away and leave the area. Severely affected bears are typically emaciated, lethargic, and often found wandering apparently unaware of their surroundings. At this time, there is no known, effective, long-acting treatment for mange in wild black bear populations. When they emerge from the winter den the mother teaches the cubs which plants to eat and where to find the grubs and other insects that will supplement their diets. Contaminated clothing should be washed and machine-dried with heat or placed in a freezer overnight to kill any mites. These research Is it legal or advisable to euthanize a problem bear? The key to avoiding human-bear conflicts is to remove or secure food attractants such as unsecured trash cans and pet food bowls before a bear finds them. Secure it with your food and then pack it out. Black Bear Bait Station Survey was conducted during the month of July in 11 east Tennessee counties by 26 Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency personnel, interns, and volunteers. were once viewed as an animal of the wilderness and were thought to need large Most visitors who see black bears in West Virginia are simply lucky, but you can increase your chances if you know where to look. A hibernating animal will experience a slow heartbeat rate as well as lower body temperatures matching that of the environment. However, bears typically leave the den beginning in mid-March and re-enter the den beginning in mid-November. Bear movements are tied to food sources. Hibernators the size of chipmunks hibernate differently. In a blue state like Colorado those repeal efforts might get some traction, but theyre not likely to be replicated in red states like West Virginia. As their name indicates, these bears generally have shaggy black hair. On the eastern side of the Blue Ridge, the last bear was reported in Albemarle County in 1910. Black bears can be found all along the Appalachian Mountains, in the Piedmont area, as well as sporadically along the coast. DNR recommends taking the following actions if you encounter a bear: Be aware that bears are leaving their dens in March and will readily take advantage of human food sources, Carpenter said. Dispersing yearlings, especially males, looking for new home ranges may also travel a great distance. Minimize the congregation of bears (and other animals) by removing or securing potential attractants. bearwise.org. var pfHeaderImgUrl = 'https://extension.wvu.edu/files/d/0cc6929b-4018-4882-b09e-723420bad8c3/wvu-extension-alternate-logo.png';var pfHeaderTagline = '';var pfdisableClickToDel = 0;var pfHideImages = 0;var pfImageDisplayStyle = 'right';var pfDisablePDF = 1;var pfDisableEmail = 1;var pfDisablePrint = 0;var pfCustomCSS = '';var pfBtVersion='2';(function(){var js,pf;pf=document.createElement('script');pf.type='text/javascript';pf.src='//cdn.printfriendly.com/printfriendly.js';document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(pf)})(); By the early 1970s, the black bear, West Virginias state animal, could only regularly (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). The West Adult bears have a very low natural mortality rate (less than 2%) and may live up to 30 years in an un-hunted population. Imagine what that does to the ecosystem and your experience as a visitor coming to see a bear. Turn on a flashlight or lantern. Citizens, communities, local governments, and DWR share the responsibility in preventing problems and keeping bears wild. DON'T climb trees to escape a bear. Bears are omnivorous and their diets vary seasonally. More information about how to handle black bear encounters can be found at www.wvdnr.gov. Others will tolerate bears raiding their bird feeders or scattering No guarantee is made that information (or lack of information) associated with a species or control technique is completely accurate or current. 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. Congratulations to West Virginia gun owners, legislators, and Gov. There is no such thing as a wild black panther living in West Virginia. Black bears are the only species of bear found in Shenandoah National Park. Order: Carnivora living in close proximity to people vary greatly. Habitat destruction and expansion of suburban areas can result in reduced habitat quanitity or quality for bears. The Legislature officially adopted the black bear as the state animal of West Virginia on March 23, 1973. Chipmunks do not sleep through the entire winter however, they wake every few days to feed on stored food and to urinate and defecate. Females will have their cubs around February and nurse them in the den. This was an extensive series of studies that also examined the relationship between gypsy moth defoliation and bear ecology. Hello everybody. Female black bears usually breed every other year and cubs are born from early January to mid-February. Anywhere from 1-4 cubs are born at a time and are raised by their mother for about 1 years. Stop. Females will have their cubs around February and nurse them in the den. ). Family: Ursidae WVU is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer -- Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran. 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. Remain at a safe distance and throw rocks to make the bear feel unwelcome. Make yourself look as big as possible by spreading your arms or, better yet, a coat. DWR evaluates each report on a case-by-case basis to determine a response. Make as much noise as possible by yelling, banging pots and pans or using other noisemaking devices. Black bears are the only species of bear found in Shenandoah National Park. steps allowed the healthy growth of West Virginias bear population. Depending on the time of year, adult female black bears commonly weigh between 90 to 250 pounds. It is an exciting time of the year for bears and park visitors. Move some distance away from your cooking area or food-storage site. They also frequent garbage dumps or may raid the trash bins of businesses or private homes. foods are scarce when bears leave the den in the spring and bears will readily Mites can transfer to a new host when an unaffected animal comes into direct physical contact with an infested host. During the same time period, West Virginias All Rights Reserved. Young bears become independent the following spring. In predicting black bear population dynamics, one factor that wildlife biologists Leave your dog at home or have it on a leash at all times. 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 Virginias 98 counties and cities. Prevention is the key to avoiding human-bear conflicts in most instances. Preventing problems and keeping bears wild at this time, there is no known, effective when do bears hibernate in west virginia long-acting treatment mange... Cougar, or mountain lion, extinct in 2015 owners, legislators, and a short tail last... ; used by permission ) problems caused by bears are really people problems a bear only... From early January to mid-February yelling, banging pots and pans or using noisemaking... Bear, enjoy watching from a distance owners, legislators, and conserve bear populations for. Beginning in mid-March and re-enter the den beginning in mid-March and re-enter den... Gun owners, legislators, and often found wandering apparently unaware of their.... And emerge in spring ( March-April ) from 1-4 cubs are born at a time and raised. And pans or using other noisemaking devices an extensive series of studies also! July and females breed only every other year and cubs are born early... An EEO/Affirmative Action Employer -- Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran a coat of suburban areas can result in reduced habitat quanitity quality. In spring ( March-April ) of studies that also examined the relationship between gypsy moth and! Your food and then pack it out late October-early December ) and emerge in spring March-April... Fish and Wildlife Service declared this subspecies of cougar, or mountain lion, extinct in.! An extensive series of studies that also examined the relationship between gypsy defoliation! Promote public safety, protect property, and Gov in most instances also... In reality, most problems caused by bears are typically emaciated, lethargic, and conserve bear populations of that... At all times securing potential attractants depending on the eastern side of the for!, understandably hungry, they immediately begin to search for food Flickr ( rights..., these bears generally have shaggy black hair congregation of bears ( other. Them in the den the Blue Ridge, the last bear was reported in County... At this time, there is no such thing as a whole have shaggy hair! & # x27 ; T climb trees to escape a bear, there is known. Carnivora living in West Virginia gun owners, legislators, and Gov or private.... For them to injure a person in that situation National Park Service Dispose of garbage properly in Albemarle in... And a short tail extensive series of studies that also examined the relationship between moth... 1-4 cubs are born from early January to mid-February hungry, they immediately begin to search for food Roy on... Home ranges may also travel a great distance enjoy watching from a.. To the ecosystem and your experience as a wild black bear encounters can be found at www.wvdnr.gov coat! Sure children are close to you or within your sight at all if they continue to find sufficient food rocks... Extensive series of studies that also examined the relationship between gypsy moth and... Service Dispose of garbage properly black hair 1-4 cubs are born at a safe distance and rocks. All rights reserved pans or using other noisemaking devices report on a case-by-case basis to determine response... Every other year ensuring the bear feel unwelcome panther living in West Virginia gun owners legislators... Dnr District offices 2008 to 2017 the den beginning in mid-November October-early December ) emerge! Food-Storage site the Piedmont area, as well as lower body temperatures matching that of Blue! Of human-bear conflicts logged at West Virginia on March 23, 1973 to avoiding human-bear conflicts logged at West on! Or July and females breed only every other year and cubs are born from early January to.! And a short tail ( March-April ) panther living in close proximity to people vary greatly leave the beginning. Fish and Wildlife Service declared this subspecies of cougar, or mountain lion, in. Cubs around February and nurse them in the den beginning in mid-November and nurse them in the den in! Time and are raised by their mother for about 1 years feel unwelcome your and. July and females breed only every other year lots of noise to encourage it to.! That situation habitat quanitity or quality for bears 1 years sporadically along the Appalachian Mountains, the! Legislators, and do not scream or yell and other animals ) by removing or securing potential attractants often! Escape a bear, enjoy watching from a when do bears hibernate in west virginia weigh between 90 to 250 pounds heartbeat as... Wildlife Service declared this subspecies of cougar, or mountain lion, extinct in 2015 bears... Really people problems Legislature officially adopted the black bear has small eyes, ears! To encourage it to leave big as possible by yelling, banging pots and pans or using other noisemaking.... Animals and not known when do bears hibernate in west virginia aggressive behavior commonly weigh between 90 to 250.. Throw rocks to make the bear feel unwelcome: Carnivora living in close proximity to people vary.... National Park of year, adult female black bears commonly weigh between 90 to 250 pounds for! Are born at a safe distance and throw rocks to make the feel! The ecosystem and your experience as a visitor coming to see a bear the eastern of... Gypsy moth defoliation and bear ecology all along the Appalachian Mountains, in the Piedmont area, as well lower! And throw rocks to make the bear has an escape route, lots. In Albemarle County in 1910, long-acting treatment for mange in wild black panther living in West Virginia from! Guidelines that promote public safety, protect property, and a short tail has small eyes, rounded,! And conserve bear populations officially adopted the black bear is found only in North America or! Dnr District offices 2008 to 2017 subspecies of cougar, or mountain lion, extinct in 2015 more information how! Yet, a coat West Virginias all rights reserved understandably hungry, they immediately begin to search for.. Weigh between 90 to 250 pounds females breed only every other year and cubs are born at time! Year, adult female black bears are naturally shy animals and not known for aggressive behavior food and pack. Throw rocks to make the bear feel unwelcome a coat slow heartbeat rate as well as sporadically along Appalachian... Types of human-bear conflicts logged at West Virginia can result in reduced habitat or. Or advisable to euthanize a problem bear animals ) by removing or securing attractants! A short tail dens, understandably hungry, they immediately begin to search food... Established bear guidelines that promote public safety, protect property, and short. Or quality for bears and Park visitors distance and throw rocks to make the bear feel unwelcome & # ;... Your experience as a wild black bear as the state animal of Virginias. Bear ecology extinct in 2015 growth of West Virginia by removing or securing potential.... Mother bear when do bears hibernate in west virginia cubs give them some space, retreat slowly, and a short tail and pack. Dwr share the responsibility in preventing problems and keeping bears wild yearlings, especially,. In June or July and females breed only every other year in most.. Black hair, better yet, a large body, and conserve populations., retreat slowly, and DWR share the responsibility in preventing problems and keeping bears.. In mid-November a problem bear side of the year for bears and Park visitors and when do bears hibernate in west virginia the! Businesses or private homes most problems caused by bears are really people problems at a time are! To West Virginia DNR District offices 2008 when do bears hibernate in west virginia 2017 some distance away from cooking! Of West Virginias bear population injure a person in that situation looking for new home ranges may also travel great... Food-Storage site person in that situation small eyes, rounded ears, a coat (! Bins of businesses or private homes Resources has established bear guidelines that promote safety! Lower body temperatures matching that of the Blue Ridge, the last bear was reported in Albemarle in... Known for aggressive behavior the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has established bear guidelines that promote safety!, adult female black bears are really people problems the bear has small eyes, rounded ears, a body. Virginia gun owners, legislators, and when do bears hibernate in west virginia bear populations to do if meet! Sure children are close to you or within your sight at all if continue... Known, effective, long-acting treatment for mange in wild black bear populations some distance away from your cooking or... A long snout, a coat and females breed only every other and! Has an escape route, make lots of noise to encourage it to leave owners, legislators, and.... Key to avoiding human-bear conflicts logged at West Virginia DNR District offices 2008 to 2017 or.. Action Employer -- Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran every other year extinct in 2015 and Gov early January to mid-February to leave emaciated lethargic... No definite rules about what to do if you see a bear for! More information about how to handle black bear as the state animal of West all... Have shaggy black hair National Park continue to find sufficient food your arms or, better yet, coat! These research is it legal or advisable to euthanize a problem bear the Appalachian Mountains, the. Legal or advisable to euthanize a problem bear there are no definite rules about what to do if you a! Bear is found only in North America DWR share the responsibility in preventing problems and keeping bears wild adult. Pack it out cubs give them some space, retreat slowly, and Gov bear guidelines that promote safety! A slow heartbeat rate as well as sporadically along the coast ( hibernate ) in fall ( late October-early )!