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Black Bears on the Move

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There are an estimated 17,000 bears in Virginia – most in the mountains or the Great Dismal Swamp, but they’re turning up in many places, prompting the state to offer advice on how to live peacefully with carnivores that can weigh more than 700 pounds.  

This is the time of year when hikers are most likely to bump into bears.  That’s because cubs from last year have grown to adolescents and are heading out on their own, according to Lee Walker with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. 

“It’s time for them to learn how to feed for themselves and be able to survive without the assistance of the mother bear.  These young bears are usually about a year and a half.  They’re really driven at this time of year with that one need, and that’s to feed.  They’re full of interest and curiosity but lack common sense.”

Which is why they might get closer than you’d like. 

“If the bear approaches you, obviously raising your voice and shouting is a good defensive measure but in most cases just slowly backing up and walking away will work just fine.  Most black bears don’t want to have anything to do with us, so count yourself luck if you see one, and hopefully it’ll be a great experience.”

Walker says there’s no history of unprovoked attacks by black bears, and while they’re classified as carnivores, they don’t crave people or their dogs.

“Whatever’s presented as a meal, they’ll eat it, so they’ll eat meat but primarily they to eat berries and small grubs and things like that.”

So if you see a bear around your house, it’s probably looking for food. Get rid of bird feeders, put a tight lid on trash cans and bring dog or cat food inside, and the bear will likely move on to find a meal somewhere else.  

Sandy Hausman is Radio IQ's Charlottesville Bureau Chief
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