Hunters reported harvesting 2,344 bears in Virginia during the 2025–26 bear hunting season (Figure 1), which was approximately 13.3% lower than the previous year’s harvest and 18.0% lower than the previous 5-year average (2020–2024). Statewide, a higher proportion of the 2025-26 season harvest consisted of female bears (41.3%) than the previous year (38.4%).
When compared to 2024, the archery, youth/apprentice, and muzzleloader harvests declined 31.4%, 25.4% and 24.6%, respectively. Although there was significant regional variation, the general firearms harvest increased by 4.0% statewide (Table 1). Harvest during the 3-day early season, which was closed in 35 northwestern counties over the last several years, decreased by 45.3% from the previous season in the seven southwestern counties where it remained open.
The decrease in the total bear harvest during 2025 is likely the result of several factors. A decrease in harvest was expected following significant season reductions across 24 counties where mange is of most concern (shown in green on the map on the bear hunting season webpage), coupled with the closing of the 3-day early season in nine additional southwestern counties. Although the magnitude varied regionally, harvests declined by 33% from the previous year and 39% from the previous 3-year average in the mange impacted counties. While statewide there was an increase in female bear harvest, there was 37% decrease in the mange impacted counties compared to the previous season and a 43% decrease from the previous 3-year average. While the new management goal of harvesting 60–65% fewer female bears was not achieved across this whole area, the observed reductions were an important step in the right direction for population recovery. While harvests declined (as intended) in the mange impacted counties, increased harvests were reported elsewhere in the state, especially in the southern Piedmont. These can likely be attributed to hunter movements to areas where seasons had not been shortened and the extension of seasons in several bear management zones.
Across all seasons in which hounds could be used, an estimated 68.9% of bears were taken by hunters using hounds; across all bear seasons, 46.6% of bears were taken with hounds. Season estimates for the proportion of bears harvested by hunters using hounds were as follows: 3-day early firearms season – 34.5%, firearms season – 69.8%, and youth/apprentice weekend – 76.2%.
Virginia continues to provide diverse opportunities for a successful bear hunt. For additional details on black bear management in Virginia please visit the DWR bear webpage. Data presented in this summary only include bears killed during the regulated bear hunting seasons and do not include bears taken on kill permits or struck by vehicles.
Figure 1: Virginia Statewide Black Bear Harvest: 1928–2025
عرض بيانات حصاد الدب الأسود حسب المقاطعة
ملخص 2025-2026 حصاد الدب الأسود حسب الموسم في فيرجينيا
| الموسم | الحصاد (#) | % إجمالي الحصاد | % الإناث |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-اليوم المبكر للأسلحة النارية | 58 | 2.5% | 32.8% |
| شاب/متدرب | 101 | 4.3% | 48.5% |
| الرماية | 494 | 21.1% | 38.3% |
| قاذف الكمامات | 264 | 11.3% | 42.4% |
| الأسلحة النارية | 1427 | 60.9% | 42.0% |
| الإجمالي | 2344 | 100% | 41.3% |