It’s bear season in Virginia: here’s what you should know

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- With spring comes the first signs of bear life across Virginia. Due to this increased activity, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is urging residents on what they should do when encountering a black bear.

The time to protect your food sources is now, according to the DWR. The department said the Wildlife Conflict Helpline recorded nearly 2,200 calls regarding bears rifling through secured trash, bird feeders and backyard chicken flocks in 2024 alone. This season, officials are urging Virginians to secure these items to reduce interactions with bears.

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources reminds residents to leave bear dens alone during winter

To encourage a bear to forage for food in the wild and not in a person's trash, the DWR highlighted how Virginians can avoid attracting these bears:

• Secure your garbage and keep it in a locked shed or inside until collected. You can alternatively use a bear-resistant container.
• Remove bird feeders.
• Secure pet and/or livestock feed in bear-resistant containers or locked sheds.
• Clean up porches and decks, and grills, as well as remove potential food sources. The DWR is reminding residents that a screened-in porch is not secure enough.
• Do not leave food, trash or pet and livestock feed in your car.

If you encounter an injured or "lethargic" cub that remains in the same place for more than 24 hours, the DWR advises Virginians to call the Wildlife Conflict Helpline at 855-571-9003.