Living with BearsLiving with Bears in the Northern in the Northern

Virginia Virginia PiedmontPiedmont

Virginia Department of Game & Inland Virginia Department of Game & Inland FisheriesFisheries

Additions by Marshall JonesAdditions by Marshall Jones

Smithsonian Conservation Biology InstituteSmithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

What Species of Bear What Species of Bear Lives In Virginia?Lives In Virginia?

Only Black Bears!

What Kind of Bears Are In What Kind of Bears Are In Virginia?Virginia?

No Brown (=Grizzly) Bears!No Brown (=Grizzly) Bears!

Females (sows)Females (sows)Males Males (boars)(boars)

adult weight adult weight 200-500 200-500 poundspounds

How Big are Black Bears?How Big are Black Bears?

Weight

adult adult weight weight

100-250 100-250 poundspounds

General FeaturesGeneral Features

Used for:

Digging up insects

Defense

Especially for climbing trees!!

Large, non-retractable claws

Why Do Bears Stand Up?Why Do Bears Stand Up?

Nearsighted Upright posture

improvestheir view

Keen senses of smell & hearing

Life HistoryLife History

Males in VAMales in VAhome range : 10-home range : 10-

300 square miles300 square miles

Females in VAFemales in VAhome range : 1-home range : 1-

50 square miles50 square miles

Varies widely by season, habitat quality, and reproductive status

Male’s home range will usually overlap several female home ranges

General FeaturesGeneral Features

What Bears EatWhat Bears Eat ~75% vegetative ~75% vegetative

matter; berries, nuts, matter; berries, nuts, grasses, and fruitsgrasses, and fruits

~25% insects, worms, ~25% insects, worms, larvae, carrion, small larvae, carrion, small animals, and fish.animals, and fish.

Although not Although not particularly good particularly good hunters, they have been hunters, they have been known to prey on small known to prey on small to medium-sized to medium-sized mammals such as mammals such as rodents and deer fawns.rodents and deer fawns.

What do Ants and Hot What do Ants and Hot Tubs have in Tubs have in

common?common?..

\

What do ants & hot What do ants & hot tubs have in tubs have in

common?common?..

Formic acid is probably a reason bears sometimes bite into insulated snowmobile seats, hot tub covers, and refrigerator walls. These items all produce formic acid when the formaldehyde in the

insulation breaks down, making them smell like ant colonies.

Formic acid

The Importance of Fall The Importance of Fall FoodsFoods

Bears may gain as much as 1-Bears may gain as much as 1-2 pounds per day beginning in 2 pounds per day beginning in late summer through the fall late summer through the fall in preparation for denning in preparation for denning

Need high energy foods to Need high energy foods to gain weightgain weight

Most important = Acorns, Most important = Acorns, hickory nuts, beechnuts, hickory nuts, beechnuts, hazelnutshazelnuts

Cultivated corn, peaches, Cultivated corn, peaches, cherries, apples, and other cherries, apples, and other fruits attract bears especially fruits attract bears especially when natural food sources are when natural food sources are scarcescarce

Den sites in VirginiaRock cavities, excavations, brush piles, trees, snags

In western Virginia, they use a high percentage of tree dens (~69%).

In eastern Virginia, they more often found in ground dens.

Winter Winter ““HibernationHibernation””

Enter dens: Oct.-Jan.Time of entry depends on reproductive status, weather, and available foods Ground

dens

Tree den

Winter Winter ““HibernatioHibernationn ””

Do not eat, drink, urinate or defecate

Respiration/heart rates decrease

May lose 30% body weight

Easily aroused from slumber

Not True Hibernators : body temperature comes within ~2°F of surrounding temperature

Bear body temperature only falls 9-14°F

…ReproductionReproduction

Cubs born mid-late January Cubs born mid-late January in den (½ to ¾ lbs)in den (½ to ¾ lbs)

Litter size ~2.5, range 1-4Litter size ~2.5, range 1-4

Born blind and helplessBorn blind and helpless

1 day old cub

5 day old cub

…ReproductionReproduction

20-25% cub mortality 20-25% cub mortality rate during the first yearrate during the first year

Rely on their mother Rely on their mother through the next through the next denning seasondenning season

Bears on the MoveBears on the Move

Bears leave dens in Bears leave dens in search of food search of food

- Food is limited - Food is limited Female bears : Travel Female bears : Travel

with cubswith cubs Male bears: Mostly Male bears: Mostly

solitarysolitary Yearlings may be with Yearlings may be with

siblingssiblings

SPRING

Bears on the MoveBears on the Move

Yearlings left to fend Yearlings left to fend for themselvesfor themselves– Females may establish Females may establish

home ranges near home ranges near mothermother

– Males may travel far to Males may travel far to find unoccupied rangefind unoccupied range

MatingMating– Adult males may Adult males may

increase home range increase home range searching for matessearching for mates

SUMMER

Distribution and Distribution and AbundanceAbundance

Pre 20th Century - limited Pre 20th Century - limited info.info.

Early 1600Early 1600’’s, Colonial s, Colonial times - abundant times - abundant statewidestatewide

1739 bears only in 1739 bears only in western mountains and western mountains and swampsswamps– human population growthhuman population growth

By 1900 - near extinction By 1900 - near extinction in VAin VA– typical agriculture; typical agriculture;

extensive deforestation, extensive deforestation, burning, grazing, cultivation burning, grazing, cultivation = little habitat left for bears= little habitat left for bears

Distribution and Distribution and AbundanceAbundance

1911 land purchases 1911 land purchases beganbegan– Mt Rogers, Natural Mt Rogers, Natural

Bridge, Shenandoah Bridge, Shenandoah National ParkNational Park

Ag-land began reverting Ag-land began reverting back to forestsback to forests

Creation of parks secured Creation of parks secured protected habitat for bears protected habitat for bears

19501950’’ssOccupied Black Bear RangeOccupied Black Bear Range

PULASKI

MONTGOMERY

WYTHE

SMYTH

RUSSELL

TAZEWELL

FREDERICK

CLARKE

LOUDOUN

FAIRFAXFAUQUER

STAFFORDCULPEPER

SPOTSYLVANIA

ORANGE

MADISON KING GEORGE

CAROLINE

HANOVER

LOUISAALBEMARLE

AUGUSTA

HIGHLAND

BOTETOURT

CRAIG

ROANOKEGILESBEDFORD

FRANKLIN

FLOYD

CAMPBELL

PITTSYLVANIA

AMHERST

NELSON

CARROLL

GRAYSON

BUCHANAN

DICKINSON

WISE

SCOTTLEE PATRICK HENRY

HALIFAX

CHARLOTTE

MECKLENBURG

LUNENBURG

PRINCE

EDWARD

BUCKINGHAMPOWHATAN

FLUVANNA

AMELIA

NOTTOWAY

BRUNSWICK

DINWIDDIE

GREENVILLE

CHESTERFIELD

HENRICO

CHARLES CITY

PRINCEGEORGE

SUSSEX

SURRY

NEW KENT

ESSEX

VIRGINIA

BEACH

JAMESCITY

YORK

MATHEWS

MIDDLESEX

NORTHAMPTON

ACCOMACK

BATH

BLAND

WASHINGTON

1950 Virginia Occupied Black Bear Range

(BEAR1950.PPT from BEAR1950PRS

19801980’’s s Occupied Black Bear RangeOccupied Black Bear Range

WYTHE

SMYTH

RUSSELL

TAZEWELL

LOUDOUN

FAIRFAX

STAFFORDCULPEPER

SPOTSYLVANIAORANGE

KING GEORGE

HANOVER

LOUISA

FRANKLIN

CAMPBELL

PITTSYLVANIACARROLL

GRAYSON

BUCHANAN

DICKINSON

WISE

SCOTTLEE PATRICK HENRY

HALIFAX

CHARLOTTE

MECKLENBURG

LUNENBURG

PRINCE

EDWARD

BUCKINGHAMPOWHATAN

FLUVANNA

AMELIA

NOTTOWAY

BRUNSWICK

DINWIDDIE

GREENVILLE

CHESTERFIELD

HENRICO

CHARLES CITY

PRINCEGEORGE

SUSSEX

SURRY

NEW KENT

ESSEX

VIRGINIABEACH

JAMESCITY

YORK

MATHEWS

MIDDLESEX

NORTHAMPTON

ACCOMACK

WASHINGTON

1983 Virginia Occupied Black Bear Range

(BEAR1950.PRS)

FREDERICK

CAROLINE

CLARKE

FAUQUIER

MADISON

ALBEMARLE

NELSON

AMHERST

BEDFORD

BOTETOURT

ROANOKE

MONTGOMERY

PULASKI

FLOYD

GILES

BLAND

CRAIG

BATH

HIGHLAND

AUGUSTA

19901990’’s s Occupied Black Bear RangeOccupied Black Bear Range

PULASKI

LOUDOUN

FAIRFAX

K

ORANGE KING GEORGE

LOUISA

FLOYD

CAMPBELL

PITTSYLVANIA

GRAYSON

BLAND

BUCHANAN

PATRICK

HALIFAX

CHARLOTTE

MECKLENBURG

LUNENBURG

PRINCEEDWARD

POWHATAN

AMELIA

NOTTOWAY

BRUNSWICK

DINWIDDIE

CHESTERFIELD

HENRICO

CHARLES CITY

PRINCEGEORGE

SUSSEX

SURRY

NEW KENT

ESSEX

JAMESCITY

MATHEWS

HIGHLAND

FLUVANNA

BUCKINGHAM

GREENVILLE

WARREN

PAGE

RAPPAHANNOCK

CULPEPER

GREENE

NELSON

ROCKBRIDGE

BATH

ALLEGHANY

BOTETOURT

BEDFORD

GILES

CRAIGRichmond

STAFFORD

SPOTSYLVANIA

CAROLINE

HANOVER

CHESAPEAKESUFFOLKHENRY

FRANKLIN

AMHERST

ROANOKE

CARROLL

PULASKITAZEWELL

RUSSELL

SCOTTLEE

WISE

DICKINSON

AUGUSTA

ROCKINGHAM

SHENANDOAH

FREDERICK

CLARKE

ALBEMARLE

MADISON

FAUQUIER

2000’s 2000’s Occupied Black Bear RangeOccupied Black Bear Range

PULASKI

FREDERICK

CLARKE

LOUDOUN

FAIRFAXFAUQUIER

K

ORANGE KING GEORGE

LOUISA

FRANKLIN

FLOYD

CAMPBELL

PITTSYLVANIACARROLL

GRAYSON

BLAND

BUCHANAN

DICKINSON

WISE

SCOTTLEEPATRICK HENRY

HALIFAX

CHARLOTTE

MECKLENBURG

LUNENBURG

PRINCEEDWARD

POWHATAN

AMELIA

NOTTOWAY

BRUNSWICK

DINWIDDIE

CHESTERFIELD

HENRICO

CHARLES CITY

PRINCEGEORGE

SUSSEX

SURRY

NEW KENT

ESSEX

JAMESCITY

MATHEWS

HIGHLAND

FLUVANNA

BUCKINGHAM

GREENVILLE

SUFFOLK

WARRENSHENANDOAH

PAGE

RAPPAHANNOCK

CULPEPER

MADISON

GREENE

ROCKINGHAM

ALBEMARLE

AUGUSTA

NELSON

ROCKBRIDGE

BATH

ALLEGHANY

BOTETOURT

BEDFORD

GILES

TAZEWELL

RUSSELL

AMHERST

CHESAPEAKE

ROANOKE

CRAIGRichmond

PULASKI

STAFFORD

SPOTSYLVANIA

CAROLINE

HANOVER

Occupied

Occasional Sightings

Rare/Unoccupied

2006 Virginia Occupied Black Bear Range

PULASKI

FREDERICK

CLARKE

LOUDOUN

FAIRFAXFAUQUIER

K

ORANGE KING GEORGE

LOUISA

FRANKLIN

FLOYD

CAMPBELL

PITTSYLVANIACARROLL

GRAYSON

BLAND

BUCHANAN

DICKINSON

WISE

SCOTTLEEPATRICK HENRY

HALIFAX

CHARLOTTE

MECKLENBURG

LUNENBURG

PRINCEEDWARD

POWHATAN

AMELIA

NOTTOWAY

BRUNSWICK

DINWIDDIE

CHESTERFIELD

HENRICO

CHARLES CITY

PRINCEGEORGE

SUSSEX

SURRY

NEW KENT

ESSEX

JAMESCITY

MATHEWS

HIGHLAND

FLUVANNA

BUCKINGHAM

GREENVILLE

SUFFOLK

WARRENSHENANDOAH

PAGE

RAPPAHANNOCK

CULPEPER

MADISON

GREENE

ROCKINGHAM

ALBEMARLE

AUGUSTA

NELSON

ROCKBRIDGE

BATH

ALLEGHANY

BOTETOURT

BEDFORD

GILES

TAZEWELL

RUSSELL

AMHERST

CHESAPEAKE

ROANOKE

CRAIGRichmond

PULASKI

STAFFORD

SPOTSYLVANIA

CAROLINE

HANOVER

Occupied

Occasional Sightings

Rare/Unoccupied

2006 Virginia Occupied Black Bear Range

PULASKI

FREDERICK

CLARKE

LOUDOUN

FAIRFAXFAUQUIER

K

ORANGE KING GEORGE

LOUISA

FRANKLIN

FLOYD

CAMPBELL

PITTSYLVANIACARROLL

GRAYSON

BLAND

BUCHANAN

DICKINSON

WISE

SCOTTLEEPATRICK HENRY

HALIFAX

CHARLOTTE

MECKLENBURG

LUNENBURG

PRINCEEDWARD

POWHATAN

AMELIA

NOTTOWAY

BRUNSWICK

DINWIDDIE

CHESTERFIELD

HENRICO

CHARLES CITY

PRINCEGEORGE

SUSSEX

SURRY

NEW KENT

ESSEX

JAMESCITY

MATHEWS

HIGHLAND

FLUVANNA

BUCKINGHAM

GREENVILLE

SUFFOLK

WARRENSHENANDOAH

PAGE

RAPPAHANNOCK

CULPEPER

MADISON

GREENE

ROCKINGHAM

ALBEMARLE

AUGUSTA

NELSON

ROCKBRIDGE

BATH

ALLEGHANY

BOTETOURT

BEDFORD

GILES

TAZEWELL

RUSSELL

AMHERST

CHESAPEAKE

ROANOKE

CRAIGRichmond

PULASKI

STAFFORD

SPOTSYLVANIA

CAROLINE

HANOVER

Occupied

Occasional Sightings

Rare/Unoccupied

2006 Virginia Occupied Black Bear Range

Bear Population Bear Population DynamicsDynamics

Populations grow very Populations grow very slowlyslowly– Maximum 25% increase per year, not in Maximum 25% increase per year, not in

hunted areashunted areas

Slow recovery from low Slow recovery from low populationspopulations

Hunting mortality is Hunting mortality is additiveadditive– Bears killed by hunters are in addition to Bears killed by hunters are in addition to

those who would have died from natural those who would have died from natural causescauses

Afraid to Go Outside?Afraid to Go Outside?

In this part of the black bear range:

• Black bears do not exhibit predatory behavior

• In Virginia there has never been an unprovoked attack on a person since Jamestown was founded in 1607!

Human Deaths Related Human Deaths Related to:to:

Black Bears 1 Every 2 years in ALL OF NORTH AMERICA

IN THE UNITED STATES ONLY:

Dog Attacks 15 Year

Non fatal visits to emergency room from dog bites 1000 Day

Hurricanes 16 Year

Tornadoes 65 Year

Being Struck by Lightning 70 Year

Bee Stings 80 Year

Riding a Bicycle 800 Year

Accidental Gunfire 1500 Year

Walking / Pedestrians 8000 Year

Murder/Homicides 17,000 Year

Automobile Accidents 47,000 Year

Automobile Collisions with Deer 150 Year

Cardiovascular Disease 885,000 Year

Bears in your backyard?Bears in your backyard?

Never Feed Bears!Never Feed Bears!

In VA, it is illegal to deliberately feed bears on public or private lands.

Even the inadvertent feeding of bears is illegal.

Remove or Secure All Remove or Secure All Potential Sources of FoodPotential Sources of Food

Bird feedersBird feedersGarbageGarbagePet foodPet foodVegetable crops Vegetable crops

and fruitsand fruitsBee hivesBee hivesLivestock foodLivestock food

Bear Proof !Bear Proof !

Take Down Birdfeeders April Take Down Birdfeeders April 11st st – December 1– December 1stst

30% of Bear Complaints are Birdfeeder Related30% of Bear Complaints are Birdfeeder Related

A dozen eggs = 888 calories = 234 acorns.

A pound of hot dogs = 1,456 calories = 384 acorns.

A McDonald’s double cheeseburger combo = 1,620 calories = 427 acorns.

A pound of Black oil sunflower seeds = 1,740 calories = 458 acorns.

A dozen Jelly donuts = 2,640 calories = 695 acorns.

A large Pepperoni Pizza = 17,352 calories = 4,566 acorns.

Acorns vs Acorns vs CheeseburgerCheeseburger

Living with Wildlife FoundationLiving with Wildlife Foundation

Feed your pets, not Feed your pets, not bears!bears!

Feed pets only what they will eat.

Remove bowl soon after they finish.

Do not leave food out overnight.

Store pet food in secure location.

DonDon’’t forget the grill!t forget the grill!

Keep outdoor grills clean

Do not leave food scraps or spilled grease in your yard

Protect Crops and Protect Crops and OrchardsOrchards

Set up electric fencing

Use noise makers

Pick ripe fruit and remove fallen fruit

Protect Your BeesProtect Your Bees

Electric FencesElectric Fences

Bear Proof Home and Bear Proof Home and NeighborhoodNeighborhood

Talk to your neighborsTalk to your neighbors– It only takes one….It only takes one….

Screen-porches should not be used for Screen-porches should not be used for storagestorage

Remove fruit producing plants from around Remove fruit producing plants from around your homeyour home

Keep garages closed at nightKeep garages closed at night Secure outbuildingsSecure outbuildings Bear Bear ““UnwelcomeUnwelcome”” mats mats Paintball guns Paintball guns Talk with your community leaders about Talk with your community leaders about

bear proof trash disposal and pickup optionsbear proof trash disposal and pickup options

A Bear in Your HouseA Bear in Your House

DONDON’’T PANICT PANIC Open all doors to outsideOpen all doors to outside

– Keep something handy near Keep something handy near doors doors

Get out of the wayGet out of the way– DonDon’’t block escape routest block escape routes

Yell, throw things, make Yell, throw things, make noisenoise

DonDon’’t approach but dont approach but don’’t t back downback down

Nuisance Bear Nuisance Bear ManagementManagement

Why Translocation May Not Be an OptionWhy Translocation May Not Be an Option

• A bear can travel hundreds of miles and can return to a known food source within days.

• Bears returning to original sites are often hit by cars.

• When relocated, a nuisance bear could become someone else's problem.

•Translocation does not solve the original problem of food attractants.

Nuisance Bear Nuisance Bear ManagementManagement

Future of Nuisance Bear Future of Nuisance Bear ManagementManagement

• Prevention! Prevention! Prevention!

• Home and landowner awareness

• Community involvement

• Deterrents / Aversive conditioning

Bear Population Objectives Bear Population Objectives MapMap

((generally ensuring that similar zones have similar objectivesgenerally ensuring that similar zones have similar objectives))

More InformationMore Information

Black Bear Management Plan

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/bear/

Living with Bears: A Practical Guide to Bear Country

Linda Masterson, 2006

North American Bear Center

www.bear.org

Be Bear Aware and Wildlife Stewardship Campaign

www.BeBearAware.org

More InformationMore Information

Rappahannock League Rappahannock League for Environmental for Environmental Protection Protection

www.rlep.orgwww.rlep.org

Smithsonian Conservation

Biology InstituteMarshall Jones

jonesmp@si.edu, 540-635-6517