Virginia Bear Hunting Regulations Overview

Reporting a Bear Harvest

• Customer Account Requirement: Hunters must have an account on GoOutdoorsVA to report a bear.
• Account Setup: Free and can be done at www.gooutdoorsvirginia.com. Assistance is available at 804-367-1000.

Bag Limits

• Annual Limit: One bear per license year.
• Weight Restrictions: Minimum of 100 pounds live weight or 75 pounds dressed weight.
• Female Bears with Cubs: Not permitted to harvest. Cubs typically weigh 30-50 lbs in the fall.
• Identification Caution: Patience is advised to avoid mistakenly shooting cubs.

Unlawful Practices

• Feeding or Baiting Bears: Prohibited year-round statewide to keep bears wild, reduce conflicts, and slow mange spread.
• Wastage of Game: Illegal to kill or cripple a bear without making a reasonable effort to retrieve and retain it.
• Crippling or Dislodging for Hunting: Unlawful to harm or dislodge a bear from a tree for hunting continuation or dog training.

Bear Harvest Reporting and Tooth Submission

• Reporting Method: Harvest must be reported via GoOutdoorsVirginia.com, the Go Outdoors Virginia mobile app, or by telephone.
• Tooth Submission: Required as part of the reporting process. Details in Tag Validation & Checking Requirements.

Age Information of Harvested Bear

• Online Availability: The age of the harvested bear can be checked online approximately 9 to 10 months after the hunting season ends at www.virginiawildlife.gov/wildlife/bear/age.

Use of Tracking Dogs

• Legality: Allowed in bear hunting. Further details can be found under Hunting Information.

Archery Bear Season in Virginia: Regulations and Guidelines

Season Dates

• Duration: October 7 to November 17, statewide.

Legal Methods and Restrictions for Archery

• Archery Tackle: Only traditional archery equipment is permitted, excluding slingbows.
• Disability Accommodations: Individuals with a disability preventing them from using standard archery equipment may use an arrowgun, provided they have a physician-completed authorization form from the Department.
• Broadhead Requirements: Must be at least 7/8-inch wide or capable of expanding to this width upon impact.
• Prohibited Equipment:
  • Explosive head arrows.
  • Arrows with drugs, chemicals, or toxic substances.

Use of Dogs

• Tracking: Dogs are permissible for tracking wounded or dead bears.
• Youth or Apprentice Bear Hunting: Dogs may be used by youth or apprentice bear hunters on the designated Young and Apprentice Bear Hunting Weekend.
• General Hunting: It is illegal to use dogs for bear hunting during the archery season, with the above exceptions.

Firearm Possession During Archery Season

• General Prohibition: Carrying firearms during the archery bear season is generally prohibited.
• Muzzleloading Firearms: Exception granted where and when the muzzleloading bear season overlaps, and hunting with a rifle or muzzleloading firearm is allowed.
• Concealed Handgun Permit Holders: Valid permit holders may carry a concealed handgun as specified in the Legal Use of Firearms & Archery Tackle section.

Muzzleloader Bear Season in Virginia: Regulations and Guidelines

Season Dates

• Duration: November 11 through 17.
• Location: Statewide in areas where hunting with a muzzleloading rifle is permitted.

Legal Methods and Restrictions

Muzzleloading Firearms

• Rifles: Single shot muzzleloading rifles of .40 caliber or larger, firing a single projectile or sabot (with a .35 caliber or larger projectile). Projectile must be loaded from the muzzle.
• Shotguns: Muzzleloading shotguns, no larger than 10 gauge, with projectiles loaded from the muzzle.
• Pistols: Muzzleloading pistols of .45 caliber or larger, firing a single projectile or sabot (with a .35 caliber or larger projectile) per barrel. Propellant and projectile must be loaded from the muzzle.
• Revolvers: Muzzleloading revolvers of .45 caliber or larger, firing a single projectile or sabot (with a .35 caliber or larger projectile) per cylinder, loaded from the forward end of the cylinder.

Additional Equipment Regulations

• Ignition Types: Flintlock, percussion, or electronic ignitions are all permitted.
• Powder Type: Smokeless powder is allowed only in firearms specifically designed for it. Using smokeless powder in other muzzleloaders is prohibited.
• Scopes: Permissible during this season.
• Pneumatic Arrowguns: Allowed.

Restrictions on Other Firearms

• Muzzleloader-Only: It is illegal to have any firearm other than a muzzleloader in immediate possession while hunting, with an exception for valid concealed handgun permit holders (refer to Legal Use of Firearms & Archery Tackle).

Use of Dogs

• Tracking Wounded or Dead Bears: Allowed for tracking purposes.
• General Hunting: Using dogs for bear hunting is prohibited during the muzzleloader season, except for tracking as mentioned.

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Youth and Apprentice Bear Hunting Weekend in Virginia

Dates and Overview

• When: October 14 and 15.
• Scope: Statewide event for youth and apprentice hunters.

Eligibility and Supervision

• Youth Hunters: Resident and nonresident hunters aged 15 and under, or holders of a valid apprentice hunting license.
• Adult Supervision: Must be accompanied and directly supervised by an adult over 18 with a valid Virginia hunting license or exemption from licensing. Nonresident youth must have appropriate licenses unless exempt.
• Supervisor Role: The supervising adult cannot carry or discharge a firearm, must maintain close contact, and provide direction to the youth or apprentice hunter.

Hunting Weapons and Regulations

• Permitted Weapons: Firearms legal during the regular firearms season are allowed.
• Bag and Weight Limits: Standard bear bag limit, weight limits, and all other take restrictions apply.
• One Bear Rule: If a bear is taken this weekend, the youth or apprentice hunter cannot take another bear in any season.
• Blaze Color: Required in areas with an open deer firearms season. Strongly recommended in other areas.

Use of Dogs

• Restrictions: Dogs cannot be used on Sunday statewide. Specific counties and Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) have further restrictions on using dogs on Saturday.
• Tracking Dogs: Allowed to find wounded or dead bears, provided they are maintained and controlled on a lead.

Hunting in Specific Areas

• Counties and WMAs with Restrictions: Includes Accomack, Campbell, Fairfax, Grayson, Henry, Loudoun, Northampton, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Roanoke, Smyth, Washington, the city of Lynchburg, and certain WMAs.

Importance of the Event

• Promoting Hunting Tradition: This weekend aims to introduce young and apprentice hunters to bear hunting in a controlled and ethical environment.
• Education and Experience: Offers a valuable opportunity for youth to learn hunting skills, safety, and wildlife conservation under experienced supervision.
• Conservation Awareness: Encourages understanding and participation in wildlife management and conservation practices.

Managing Black Bears with Mange: Guidelines and Precautions

Understanding and Identifying Mange in Black Bears

Mange, caused by the mite S. scabiei, is a contagious skin disease affecting mammals, including black bears. Its symptoms can be confused with normal shedding or other conditions. Hunters are advised to be vigilant in identifying mange-infested bears.

Key Identification Tips:

• Reference the DWR mange brochure for visual aids and additional characteristics.
• Look for signs like hair loss and crusting skin.
• Mild to moderate cases can resolve naturally; avoid harvesting if unsure.

Reporting Suspected Cases:

• Record the location (GPS coordinates, if possible).
• Take detailed photos showing symptoms.
• Report to Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline: vawildlifeconflict@usda.gov or 1-855-571-9003.

Regulations During Bear Training Seasons

• Bears with mange cannot be killed during bear training seasons.
• Report any suspected mange-infested bears with photos and location details to the Helpline.

Protocol for Harvesting Mange-Infested Bears

• Legally harvested bears with mange must be tagged and reported, even if not removed from the site.
• Email bearmange@dwr.virginia.gov with harvest details and photos for evaluation.
• Replacement tags may be issued if mange is confirmed.

Safety Measures:

• Minimize contact with the carcass.
• Utilize disposable gloves and Permethrin-based repellents.
• Properly dispose of gloves and contaminated materials.
• Wash hands and arms thoroughly; launder or freeze clothing to kill mites.

Best Practices for Handling and Equipment Disinfection

• Contact a veterinarian for advice on hounds potentially exposed to mange.
• Disinfect equipment (e.g., dog leashes, boxes) with a bleach solution or suitable disinfectant.
• Seek medical advice for potential human exposure to mange.

Additional Resources and Information

• For comprehensive information and images of mange in black bears, visit:
  • Virginia Wildlife Mange and Black Bears
  • Black Bear Mange Brochure