I backpack into the GWNF near Powels Fort for a week or more each year to hunt deer and grouse. The last few years, I have seen ALOT more bear than ever. Being solo 3-4 miles from my truck, I have not shot 1. I have watched them play, fight and forage. I also had a tense stand off with a mother and cubs when I only had a single six with me. The bear population has exploded in the last few years. 2 years ago, I took my wife to the Marriott Ranch outside of Front Royal, to go horseback riding. While we were waiting with a bunch of yuppees from DC, watching a doe and a fawn, a bear charged out of the woods and killed the fawn right in front of us. Last spring, a man and his dog were attacked and mauled in the GWNF by my house west of Strasburg. I hope the VADGF knows what they're doing. Bears need to be managed better in Va, but I would hate to see this game animal reduced to a nuisance animal. Which will happen if the $20 deters the locals from shooting them.
