Registered: Nov 2005
Location: New Market Va
Posts: 4670

BLACK BEAR

During the 2011-2012 bear hunting seasons 1,997 bears were harvested during the archery, muzzleloader, and firearms seasons. The 2011 harvest resulted in an approximate 10% decrease over last year's reported kill of 2,221 bears. In 2011, bears were harvested in 73 counties including the first legal bear harvest in Henrico County in numerous decades. Female bears represented 42% of the 2011 harvest, which was greater than the 2010 harvest (39%) but equal to the 2009 harvest (42%).

Archery hunters accounted for 693 bears during 2011, 35% of the total harvest. This was the third year of the 6-week statewide season for bowhunters, and although the archery kill was higher than last year (2010 - 409 bears) it was less than 2009 (1,017 bears). As expected with the poor mast crop, archery success increased this year over 2010 and was comparable to the archery harvest reported in years with limited or spotty fall mast. Archery success typically increases during poor mast years and decreases when acorns are abundant. The top three archery counties were Rockingham (52), Page (50), and Warren (31). Crossbow hunters accounted for 42% of the total archery kill. The harvest from the archery season was 42% female compared to 40% females in 2010 and 44% in 2009.

Muzzleloader hunting opportunities were expanded in 2011 and were available for the first time in southwest Virginia. The statewide 1- week muzzleloader harvest accounted for 265 bears (13% of the total harvest). The new season in Southwest Virginia resulted in the harvest of 55 bears. The total muzzleloader harvest was less than both the 2010 (342 bears) and 2009 (356 bears) seasons. The top three muzzleloading counties were Rockingham (22), Page (20), and Augusta (14). The harvest from the muzzleloader season was composed of 42% females compared to 41% females in 2010 and 51% in 2009.

Representing 52% of the total kill, the 2011 firearms season yielded 1,039 bears, a decrease from the 2010 harvest (1,428 bears, 66% of harvest) and an increase from the 2009 firearms harvest of 931. Hound hunters accounted for 64% of the firearms kill in 2011 (33% of harvest), which was an increase over 2010 (57%), 2009 (48%), and 2008 (47%). The top three general firearms counties were Augusta (109), Rockingham (96), and Rockbridge (67). General firearms hunters who did not use hounds harvested 45% females (40% in 2010, 42% in 2009), while hound hunters harvested 39% females (36% in 2010, 30% in 2009).

The 2011-2012 Virginia bear harvest is similar to other Mid-Appalachian states including West Virginia that saw a slight decrease in the number of bears harvested over last season. This slight decrease was within the expected harvest levels for a year with a poor and spotty fall mast crop. Black bears are managed through population objectives in the Black Bear Management Plan. The bear population objectives are currently being revised for the Revised Black Bear Management Plan and subsequent bear harvest seasons will be structured according to the new bear population objectives.

__________________
Steve Morrow "Saltlick Majestic's"
"Never Have Hounds Or Kids And You Won't Get Your Heart Broke"!!

540-421-2875

PR, Saltlick's Blue Misty Linga "Bluetick Coonhound"

French X American Hounds

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged