I live near D.C. and was toying with the idea of heading to nw virginia to try my luck at bear hunting during archery season this year. anyone have any luck out that way? maybe a little south on i-81 from the i-66 intersection.

Probably not the response you were looking for but my father worked with a man that hunted in Virginia for 31 years ever year with a group.

Among 7 repeat hunters, only 3 saw bears in 3 decades, a total of 2 bears only.

Probably doesn't mean much but....

Check out the areas N and S of Rt.33 W of Harrisonburg along the WV border(G.W.National Forest). Enough bear out this way that we're(I'm in WV)having the first early bear season w/firearms or bow ever. Opened this week to next week. The area N of RT.33 is a favorite area for us to train dogs because the bear are so plentiful. Give it a try and GOOD LUCK!

til later

quote:

Originally posted by cooperjd:
I live near D.C. and was toying with the idea of heading to nw virginia to try my luck at bear hunting during archery season this year. anyone have any luck out that way? maybe a little south on i-81 from the i-66 intersection.

I too live in No.VA and would like to bear hunt with a handgun but am having trouble loacting any info......

Don't know if you guys are interested in hunting with dogs and can't even say that I could arrange anything but I can ask the dog owners when they get back from Boone County next week. Seems they're always looking for people wanting to take the bear. They're just into it for the chase. Honestly got the best dogs in the region.

til later

quote:

Originally posted by EP:
Don't know if you guys are interested in hunting with dogs and can't even say that I could arrange anything but I can ask the dog owners when they get back from Boone County next week. Seems they're always looking for people wanting to take the bear. They're just into it for the chase. Honestly got the best dogs in the region.

til later

I'd be up for that, EP. I plan on shooting it with a handgun, so it would be ideal. Let me know, please. Thank you! EP -- PM sent.......

Also in VA and interested in black bear hunting. I was told season is overlapped with deer season in November? Anyhow wondering if there is a way to stalk them compared to hunting them with dogs since I don't have any? Esox357.

When I was stationed out there for the Navy, I was told by a State Game Biologist that the best place in the state was Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area towards the North West part of the state. I don't know if that is still true.

Why don't you contact the state Game and Fish and ask to talk to the guys that monitor the bears. Most states have specialists that can answer just about any question you have.

It has always amazed me how few hunters use the game departments as a source of info. After all, they do all the surveys, handle all the complaints and employ not only the biologists, but also the game wardens. Many times they have the answers, but are seldom asked.

Mac

I tried calling a general number on the Game and parks website only to listen to a pre recorded phone call that hangs up on you after the message, not much help there! The majority of game wardens get tired of people asking them where or how the season will look, so my few encounters with the game and parks is not favorable, they seem bothered or get asked to often the same questions. Thanks for the info on Clinch I will check into it. Esox357.

quote:

Originally posted by cooperjd:
I live near D.C. and was toying with the idea of heading to nw virginia to try my luck at bear hunting during archery season this year. anyone have any luck out that way? maybe a little south on i-81 from the i-66 intersection.

I don't know Virginia laws, but I know in West Virginia you can't bait for bear.

I have hunted for deer on my land in West Virginia, and I have never seen a bear in 3 years. I know I have bear on my land, due to the damage they do to my camper and stuff on my land.

Spot and stalk are very difficult, because I can only hunt my land, so if I see one, and it is not on my land I can't shoot it.

The easiest way to hunt them in West Virginia is under dogs, and that is a lot up running up and down hills, I know I did that in Maine and I was one wore out puppy.

I wish we were allowed to bait for bear in West Virginia, that would help me get that big bear that's been messing up my camper.

Good luck in finding a place to hunt bear. You may get lucky while deer hunting and have one pass by you, but the likely hood is not very good.