Lower Appalachia Bear Question

[TheArdentOutdoorsman]

I may be asking a stupid question here. I was wondering if black bears in the lower appalachians of Virginia/NC/WV can be hunted during NOV/DEC. I know most are killed in front of dogs during that time but have heard mixed things about the bears that time of year in that region. Are they all holed up or can they still be seen actively moving about? I found an area that revealed a lot of bear sign and was contemplating hunting the area with a rifle over Thanksgiving break (Only time I can make it). Could it be worth it or am I just wasting time?

 

[Bl704]

I may be asking a stupid question here. I was wondering if black bears in the lower appalachians of Virginia/NC/WV can be hunted during NOV/DEC. I know most are killed in front of dogs during that time but have heard mixed things about the bears that time of year in that region. Are they all holed up or can they still be seen actively moving about? I found an area that revealed a lot of bear sign and was contemplating hunting the area with a rifle over Thanksgiving break (Only time I can make it). Could it be worth it or am I just wasting time?

NC - yes , but...not at Thanksgiving in mountain region...

Dates vary across the state by regions (groups of Counties)... Specifically the mountain region has some closure from about third week Nov to mid Dec.

There are quite a variety of rules for bear hunts in the state, so best to check the rules on NCwildlife.Org

 

[Glendon Mullins]

In Virginia/WV at least where I am from you can hunt them pretty much all of Bow Season, 2nd week of muzzloader in VA, and 2nd week of deer rifle season in Virginia (which is sometimes thanksgiving)

I think WV may be a bit more liberal than virginia, but i would have to look up the specifics, they do alot on a county by county basis

Depending on what county/area u are speaking of, based off my sightings while deer hunting you stand a decent chance during that time frame. At least up here in the mountain areas where I hunt. I do not know the bear density etc. where u are hunting at etc. Virginia and West Virginia put out harvest numbers per county that u could check out if your not 100% confident in the area u are hunting currently.

 

[TheArdentOutdoorsman]

Thanks for the info. I more specifically would be hunting in Virginia, near the WV line but NC isn't that far off so I figured northern NC is relative to the question

 

[Jbogg]

I’m not sure if this applies, but our bear season in North GA stays open from mid September until the day after Christmas on public land in the Chattahoochee National Forest. We have mountainous terrain similar to yours with a few thousand feet of elevation change. By December a lot of the pregnant sows are heading to the den in preparation for giving birth. The males however will stay on their feet as long as there is a reliable food source. We had a bumper acorn crop this past fall and guys were seeing bears well into December. During a year with a poor acorn crop it seems like they den earlier since it doesn’t make sense for the bears to needlessly burn calories looking for food that’s not there.

 

[Glendon Mullins]

@ArdentOutdoorsman feel free to PM me if u have any specific questions, I also hunt along the WV VA line etc.

 

[Lowg08]

NC is a no go for thanksgiving week. That is opening week for rifle hunting deer.

 

[pjh360]

Virginia has an early 3 day bear season at the beginning of October. During that time bears are much more active than they will be during Thanksgiving, but they will still be active. I have seen bears throughout the muzzleloader and rifle deer seasons through November. My personal experience is that bear populations are higher now in the mountains of western Va. than any time in my 61 years. Harvest rates the last 2 years have been high. I have heard a rumor from a reliable source that Va. DWR is going to add an additional week of bear hunting to include the first week of muzzleloader deer season. Good time to be a bear hunter! Bonus - those acorn-fattened bears are delicious!!!

 

[van zan]

Just outside of the Appalachia region, the Kentucky bear season in 2020 was Dec. 12-18. The quota is small but growing.

 

[Professor]

I’m not sure if this applies, but our bear season in North GA stays open from mid September until the day after Christmas on public land in the Chattahoochee National Forest. We have mountainous terrain similar to yours with a few thousand feet of elevation change. By December a lot of the pregnant sows are heading to the den in preparation for giving birth. The males however will stay on their feet as long as there is a reliable food source. We had a bumper acorn crop this past fall and guys were seeing bears well into December. During a year with a poor acorn crop it seems like they den earlier since it doesn’t make sense for the bears to needlessly burn calories looking for food that’s not there.

Welcome jbogg

 

[Jbogg]

Welcome jbogg

Looks like I’m late to the party. But better late than never.

 

[Professor]

Looks like I’m late to the party. But better late than never.

Are you planning a western hunt?

 

[BAKPAKR]

In West Virginia, the firearms season goes through December 31. There is also a primitive weapon season in mid-January. I tracked my first West Virginia bear in the snow one Christmas Eve. I frequently see tracks in January.

 

[Jbogg]

Are you planning a western hunt?

No. My last Hunt out west was 1994. Really just jumped on here to learn what I can in the Trad section. Going to dip my toe in the trad waters.

 

[Professor]

No. My last Hunt out west was 1994. Really just jumped on here to learn what I can in the Trad section. Going to dip my toe in the trad waters.

i am getting back in it as well.

 

[Glendon Mullins]

Virginia has an early 3 day bear season at the beginning of October. During that time bears are much more active than they will be during Thanksgiving, but they will still be active. I have seen bears throughout the muzzleloader and rifle deer seasons through November. My personal experience is that bear populations are higher now in the mountains of western Va. than any time in my 61 years. Harvest rates the last 2 years have been high. I have heard a rumor from a reliable source that Va. DWR is going to add an additional week of bear hunting to include the first week of muzzleloader deer season. Good time to be a bear hunter! Bonus - those acorn-fattened bears are delicious!!!

This!! If I was gonna specifically target bear in Virginia or West Virginia (WV has a early season also) it would be in the earl season's they each have.