Get Virginia Bear Hunters Association - Membership Application - Virginiabearhunters

Black bears can be found all along the Appalachian Mountains, in the Piedmont area, as well as sporadically along the coast. They prefer habitat that provides cover, such as a densely wooded mature oak forests or swampy area in the coastal plain, and easily accessible food resources.

Black bears can be found all along the Appalachian Mountains, in the Piedmont area, as well as sporadically along the coast. They prefer habitat that provides cover, such as a densely wooded mature oak forests or swampy area in the coastal plain, and easily accessible food resources.

Virginia Hunting Seasons SeasonStart DateEnd DateBear – Firearm 1 See regulations for specific counties.Oct 1, 2023Jan 6, 2024Bear – Early Firearm See regulations for specific counties.Oct 2, 2023Oct 4, 2023Bear – ArcheryOct 7, 2023Nov 17, 202361 more rows

Virginia Hunting Seasons SeasonStart DateEnd DateBear – Firearm 1 See regulations for specific counties.Oct 1, 2023Jan 6, 2024Bear – Early Firearm See regulations for specific counties.Oct 2, 2023Oct 4, 2023Bear – ArcheryOct 7, 2023Nov 17, 202361 more rows

Black bear. -- A black bear may be killed by any person when (i) it is inflicting or attempting to inflict injury to a person or (ii) when a person is in pursuit of the bear commenced immediately after the commission of such offense.

Black bear. -- A black bear may be killed by any person when (i) it is inflicting or attempting to inflict injury to a person or (ii) when a person is in pursuit of the bear commenced immediately after the commission of such offense.

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. Cubs may be 30-50 lbs by fall. Please observe and be patient before shooting as cubs often lag behind the female.

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. Cubs may be 30-50 lbs by fall. Please observe and be patient before shooting as cubs often lag behind the female.

Virginia Hunting Seasons SeasonStart DateEnd DateBear – Firearm 1 See regulations for specific counties.Oct 1, 2023Jan 6, 2024Bear – Early Firearm See regulations for specific counties.Oct 2, 2023Oct 4, 2023Bear – ArcheryOct 7, 2023Nov 17, 202361 more rows

The list varies by year but Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Botetourt, Nelson, Rockbridge and Rockingham are in the top ten. These counties, among others, offer not only prime bear habitat but offer lots of public land in the form of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.

Where Are the Bears? While the highest concentration of bears occurs in the Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains and around the Great Dismal Swamp, bears can be seen just about anywhere in Virginia.

Muzzleloader Bear Season November 11 through 17: Statewide in all areas where hunting with a muzzleloading rifle is permitted.

Virginia Hunting Seasons SeasonStart DateEnd DateBear – Firearm 1 See regulations for specific counties.Oct 1, 2023Jan 6, 2024Bear – Early Firearm See regulations for specific counties.Oct 2, 2023Oct 4, 2023Bear – ArcheryOct 7, 2023Nov 17, 202361 more rows

To Hunt Bear, Deer, or Turkey A bear license and/or a deer/turkey license is required in addition to a hunting license. (These licenses are valid from July 1–June 30 only.) A National Forest Permit, State Forest Use Permit, or Bonus Deer Permits may also be required.

Black bear archery and crossbow season is Sept. 30 – December 31, 2023. Black bear gun seasons – A special September and October bear firearms season and a bear firearms season running concurrent with the deer firearms season in select counties will again be in place for 2023.

The list varies by year but Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Botetourt, Nelson, Rockbridge and Rockingham are in the top ten. These counties, among others, offer not only prime bear habitat but offer lots of public land in the form of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.

Where Are the Bears? While the highest concentration of bears occurs in the Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains and around the Great Dismal Swamp, bears can be seen just about anywhere in Virginia.

Muzzleloader Bear Season November 11 through 17: Statewide in all areas where hunting with a muzzleloading rifle is permitted.

To Hunt Bear, Deer, or Turkey A bear license and/or a deer/turkey license is required in addition to a hunting license. (These licenses are valid from July 1–June 30 only.) A National Forest Permit, State Forest Use Permit, or Bonus Deer Permits may also be required.

Black bear archery and crossbow season is Sept. 30 – December 31, 2023. Black bear gun seasons – A special September and October bear firearms season and a bear firearms season running concurrent with the deer firearms season in select counties will again be in place for 2023.