Home Forums Birds & Dogs Turkey Hunting Finally........what I was looking for....

Yoder, it's probably the same as in Pa, but bear populations in Va have increased expontentially. I don't think many people hunt them. Maybe in the mountains, but east of the Blue Ridge I don't think so. I remember back in the 80s and 90s, the only counties with bear seasons were west of the Blue Ridge and in Suffolk and Chesapeake, where the Dismal Swamp is. There has always been some bears in between, but not many. Now, there is a hunting season in every county in Va, except on the Easterm Shore. I remember years ago it was rare to see a bear where I grew up, but occassionally one would swim 4 miles acorss the James River and show up in our neighborhood. Now, they aren't uncommon at all. We hads a news article about a bear that was prowling a bus stop. You can see them in the marshes eating crabs and shell fish. Kind like coyotoes, they've pretty much re-expanded acorss the whole state.