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Bear

Unlawful to Feed Bears

It shall be unlawful for any person as defined in Code of Virginia § 1-230 to place, distribute, or allow the placement of food, minerals, carrion, trash, or similar substances to feed or attract bear. Nor, upon notification by Department personnel, shall any person continue to place, distribute, or allow the placement of any food, mineral, carrion, trash, or similar substances for any purpose if the placement of these materials results in the presence of bear. After such notification, such person shall be in violation of this section if the placing, distribution, or presence of such food, minerals, carrion, trash, or similar substances continues. This section shall not apply to wildlife management activities conducted or authorized by the Department.

Bag Limits

One per license year, at least 100 pounds live weight or 75 pounds dressed weight (all internal organs removed). Females with cubs may not be harvested.

Bear Checking

All bearsmust be checked at an official bear check station. Locations for bear check stations are available on the DGIF Web site or by calling 1-804-367-1000.

Bear information will need to be recorded on Black Bear Check Cards. There is no longer a combined check card for Bear, Deer, and Turkey. Do not record information on Deer and Turkey Check Card. Tooth collection is mandatory and the tooth envelope is part of the Black Bear Check Card.

Look Up the Age of Your Harvested Bear Online!

The age of your harvested bear will be available online 9 to 10 months after the hunting season ends online. Hunters without Internet access can request this information by calling 804-652-7921.

Archery Bear Season

October 6 through November 16: Statewide

Legal Methods and Restrictions

Special restrictions apply to archery tackle use during this season. Click here for more information.

  • Archery tackle (including crossbows) only.
  • Broadhead widths must be at least 7/8- inch wide or expand upon impact to 7/8-inch.
  • Bows must be capable of propelling a broadhead arrow at least 125 yards.
  • It is unlawful to use explosive head arrows or arrows to which any drug, chemical, or toxic substance has been added.
  • It is unlawful to use dogs, except that dogs may be used to track wounded or dead bear (see Hunting with Dogs).
  • It is unlawful to have a firearm in possession, except that a muzzleloading firearm, as defined in the muzzleloader bear season section, may also be in possession when and where there is an overlap with a special muzzleloading bear season where bear hunting with a rifle or muzzle loading firearm is permitted (see exception for valid concealed handgun permit holders).

Muzzleoader Bear Season

November 10 through 16: Statewide in all areas where hunting with a muzzleloading rifle is permitted.

Legal Methods and Restrictions

Special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

  • Only muzzleloading firearms, .45 caliber or larger, loaded from the muzzle of the gun.
  • Muzzleloading firearms must be single shot, capable of firing only a single bullet or saboted bullet (.38 caliber or larger).
  • Flintlock, percussion, or electronic ignitions are permitted.
  • It is unlawful to have in immediate possession any firearm other than a muzzleloading gun while hunting with a muzzleloader. (See exception for valid concealed handgun permit holders).
  • It is unlawful to use muzzleloading pistols.
  • Must use at least 50 grains of black powder or black powder equivalent.
  • Smokeless powder is allowed in muzzleloading firearms designed for it. Never use smokeless powder of any type in any quantity in a muzzle loading firearm that is not specifically designed for it.
  • Scopes are permitted.
  • For the purposes of transportation in a vehicle, muzzleloading firearms are considered "unloaded" when all powder has been removed from the flashpan, or the percussion cap, primer, or battery has been removed from the firearm. For complete safety, a muzzleloader should be emptied by shooting into soft ground.
  • It is unlawful to use dogs, except that dogs may be used to track wounded or dead bear (see Hunting with Dogs).

Firearms Bear Season

October 1 through January 5

In the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.

November 24 through January 5

In the counties of Augusta (north of US-250), Frederick, Roanoke, Rockingham, and Shenandoah and within the incorporated limits of any independent city, not listed, that allows bear hunting.

November 26 through January 5

In the counties of Albemarle, Alleghany, Amherst, Arlington, Augusta (south of US-250), Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Caroline, Chesterfield, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Giles, Goochland, Greene, Hanover, Henrico, Highland, Loudoun, Louisa, Madison, Montgomery, (northwest of I-81), Nelson, Orange, Page, Powhatan, Prince William, Pulaski (northwest of I-81), Rappahannock, Rockbridge, Smyth (northwest of I -81), Spotsylvania, Stafford, Tazewell, Warren, Washington (northwest of I-81 and east of Route 19), Wythe (northwest of I-81), and on the Clinch Mountain and Hidden Valley Wildlife Management Areas and Channels State Forest.

December 3 through 22

Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Floyd, Franklin, Grayson, Henry, Lee, Montgomery (southeast of I-81), Patrick, Pulaski (southeast of I-81), Russell, Scott, Smyth (southeast of I-81), Washington (southeast of I-81), Washington (northwest of I-81 and west of Route 19), Wise, Wythe (southeast of I-81).

Exception

Clinch Mountain and Hidden Valley Wildlife Management Areas and Channels State Forest (see November 26-January 5 season).

December 10 through 15

In the counties of Amelia, Appomattox, Brunswick, Buckingham, Campbell, Charles City, Charlotte, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Essex, Gloucester, Greensville, Halifax, Isle of Wight, James City, King and Queen, King George, King William, Lancaster, Lunenburg, Mathews, Mecklenburg, Middlesex, New Kent, Northumberland, Nottoway, Pittsylvania, Prince Edward, Prince George, Richmond, Southampton, Surry, Sussex, Westmoreland, and York.

Closed

In the counties of Accomack and Northampton.

Legal Methods and Restrictions

Special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

  • Modern firearms
  • Archery tackle (including crossbows)
  • Muzzleloading firearms

Tracking Dogs

  • Tracking dogs maintained and controlled on a lead may be used to find a wounded or dead bear or deer statewide during any archery, muzzleloader, or firearm bear or deer hunting season, or within 24 hours of the end of such season, provided that those who are involved in the retrieval effort have permission to hunt on or to access the land being searched and do not have any weapons in their possession.

Dogs May Be Used to Hunt Bear Except:

  • During the firearms deer season in the counties west of the Blue Ridge and in the counties of Amherst (west of Rt. 29), Bedford, and Nelson (west of Rt. 151).
  • During the first 12 hunting days of the firearms deer season in Madison and Greene counties.
  • In the counties of Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Carroll (east of the New River), Fairfax, Floyd, Franklin, Grayson (east of the New River), Henry, Loudoun, Montgomery (south of I-81), Patrick, Pittsylvania (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Pulaski (south of I-81), Roanoke (south of I-81), and Wythe (southeast of the New River or that part bounded by Rt. 21 on the west, I-81 on the north, the county line on the east, the New River on the southeast and Cripple Creek on the south), and in the city of Lynchburg.
  • On the Amelia, Chester F. Phelps, Featherfin, G. Richard Thompson, Mattaponi, Merrimac Farm, and Pettigrew wildlife management areas.
  • When hunting during the archery or muzzleloading bear seasons.
  • On Cavalier WMA dogs may only be used during the Bear Hound Training Season from August 11-31.

Bear Hound Training/Chase Season

NO BLACK BEAR MAYBE TAKEN DURING THIS SEASON.

August 11 through September 29* (including Sundays)

Certain counties, see map. *Dogs may be used during Bear Hound Training Season on Cavalier WMA only August 11-31.

December 3 through 8

Certain counties, see map.

Closed

Certain counties, see map.

Hours

4:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M.

Licenses Required

Same for hunting seasons where bears can be taken. See licenses, stamps and permits section for appropriate required licenses.

Unlawful Methods

  • It is unlawful to have in possession a firearm, bow, crossbow, or any weapon capable of taking a black bear while participating in the bear hound training season. The meaning of "possession" for the purpose of this section shall include, but not be limited to, having a firearm, bow, crossbow, or any weapon capable of taking a black bear in or on one’s person, vehicle, or conveyance.
  • It is unlawful to dislodge an animal from a tree for the intent of continuing a hunt, or chase, or for the purpose of training dogs.