Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 12:32 pm
Black Bear Sightings on Rise in VA
Black bear sightings are very common in state this time of year
Date published: 6/4/2008
By DAN TELVOCK
Dan Chapman says his Golden Retriever is "held hostage" in the house.
The bird feeder is now indoors, along with the dog's food. Trash has been
removed from the backyard.
Chapman is not preparing for a big storm.
He is, however, prepared for another bear sighting.
Chapman and his wife, Jeanne, spotted a black bear in their backyard
Monday night in Chapel Hills subdivision of northwestern Spotsylvania
County. He said Jeanne rushed inside at about 6:30 p.m. "with the
excitement of seeing a black bear."
"I've lived here 34 years and I've never seen a bear in my yard," he
said. "I can't let my dog out of the house because if she picks up the
scent and sees the bear, she's gone."
Todd Mitchell, who lives near Chapman off of Spotswood Furnace and Elys
Ford roads, wrote in an e-mail that his kids were playing in the backyard
when they saw "something black and moving fast in the woods."
"A bit unnerving," he wrote.
According to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, this is
the time of year when most bear sightings are reported. The newspaper
received reports of at least four separate bear sightings in two days.
Mike Dye, district wildlife biologist, said cubs are adventurous this time of
year.
"They are either out causing trouble or are trying to find new home
ranges," he said. "Another aspect is they are just trying to find food, and
trash and birdseed are a very good source of high-calorie food."
Dye said there is no reason for homeowners to fear black bears.
"But at the same time, use common sense. Don't try to approach the
bear. Bang pots together. The air horns work great to scare them off," he
said.
Dan Telvock
WHAT TO DO?
If you see a Black bear in your neighborhood:
1. Take down bird feeders, remove garbage and pet food, and clean
grills for at least two weeks.
2. Do not put meat scraps or any other strong-smelling food in the
compost pile. Consider an enclosed compost bin.
3. Remove ripe fruit from fruit trees and surrounding grounds.
4. Consider installing electric fencing to protect beehives, dumpsters,
gardens, compost piles or other potential food sources.
5. Bring pets inside. Children shouldn't play outside without
supervision.
6. Do not try to chase or approach the bear. Crash pots together to
scare it away if necessary.
7. Make sure neighbors and homeowners associations are aware of the
bear and these tips.
LIVING WITH BEARS
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries made a 19-minute
video on black bears in Virginia and how to respond if one is seen in your
neighborhood. You can view the video here:
http://www.huntfishva.com/video/
Black bear sightings are very common in state this time of year
Date published: 6/4/2008
By DAN TELVOCK
Dan Chapman says his Golden Retriever is "held hostage" in the house.
The bird feeder is now indoors, along with the dog's food. Trash has been
removed from the backyard.
Chapman is not preparing for a big storm.
He is, however, prepared for another bear sighting.
Chapman and his wife, Jeanne, spotted a black bear in their backyard
Monday night in Chapel Hills subdivision of northwestern Spotsylvania
County. He said Jeanne rushed inside at about 6:30 p.m. "with the
excitement of seeing a black bear."
"I've lived here 34 years and I've never seen a bear in my yard," he
said. "I can't let my dog out of the house because if she picks up the
scent and sees the bear, she's gone."
Todd Mitchell, who lives near Chapman off of Spotswood Furnace and Elys
Ford roads, wrote in an e-mail that his kids were playing in the backyard
when they saw "something black and moving fast in the woods."
"A bit unnerving," he wrote.
According to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, this is
the time of year when most bear sightings are reported. The newspaper
received reports of at least four separate bear sightings in two days.
Mike Dye, district wildlife biologist, said cubs are adventurous this time of
year.
"They are either out causing trouble or are trying to find new home
ranges," he said. "Another aspect is they are just trying to find food, and
trash and birdseed are a very good source of high-calorie food."
Dye said there is no reason for homeowners to fear black bears.
"But at the same time, use common sense. Don't try to approach the
bear. Bang pots together. The air horns work great to scare them off," he
said.
Dan Telvock
WHAT TO DO?
If you see a Black bear in your neighborhood:
1. Take down bird feeders, remove garbage and pet food, and clean
grills for at least two weeks.
2. Do not put meat scraps or any other strong-smelling food in the
compost pile. Consider an enclosed compost bin.
3. Remove ripe fruit from fruit trees and surrounding grounds.
4. Consider installing electric fencing to protect beehives, dumpsters,
gardens, compost piles or other potential food sources.
5. Bring pets inside. Children shouldn't play outside without
supervision.
6. Do not try to chase or approach the bear. Crash pots together to
scare it away if necessary.
7. Make sure neighbors and homeowners associations are aware of the
bear and these tips.
LIVING WITH BEARS
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries made a 19-minute
video on black bears in Virginia and how to respond if one is seen in your
neighborhood. You can view the video here:
http://www.huntfishva.com/video/
) can suddenly, without facts or even dialog, be the villain. One fact is, when he realized that his integrity was at stake in every press conference (due to the fact that he had to hedge most every "negative" question from the press,) he exited and wrote his experiences for all to read.
