Can you shoot a black bear in Virginia?

Bears may be harvested using any lawful weapon within the incorporated limits of any town or city that allows bear hunting from October 2 through January 1. This season will not supersede local ordinances with respect to hunting or use of weapon.

How many black bears are harvested each year?

Photo Courtesy of CDFW Flickr®. The 2020 California black bear hunting season resulted in 1,028 bears taken, representing a 26% decrease from the 2019 season harvest of 1,389 bears. A total of 30,387 bear tags were issued.

What is the Virginia state record for black bear?

Virginia records show a 740-pound bear was taken in the Suffolk area in December 2000. Recently, a bear that weighed in at 728 pounds and was 7 feet, 2 inches long was shot in the Keysville area.

Can you shoot black bears?

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) currently allows hunters to kill up to 1,700 black bears in a single season. Hunters may shoot black bears in their natural habitats with firearms or bows and arrows.

Can you eat bear meat?

Some game meat has received a bad reputation for palatability. For example, many hunters shun bear meat. However, most hunters who do eat black and brown/grizzly bear say the meat is usually good or very good, unless the animal has been feeding on fish.

What caliber is required for bear hunting?

Best Pistol Caliber for Bear: . 44 Magnum. This pistol packs a powerful punch while still being small enough to fit in the hands, which makes it a popular choice for people who want a sidearm when they take to the field for a bear hunt.

What state has the most black bears?

There are around 25,000 to 35,000 black bears in California. This makes it the largest population of black bears of any contiguous state.

What is the biggest bear in Virginia?

Black bears are Virginia’s largest land mammal, capable of living in the wild for 30 years or more and typically ranging from 175 to 400 pounds. (At times they can be larger: in 2000, a hunter killed a 740-pound behemoth in Suffolk.)

What is the best caliber for black bear hunting?

Best Caliber For Black Bear Hunting: . Not only is the . 30/30 Winchester a proven black bear killer, but it’s possibly the most-proven black bear killer on the market. It’s a quick expanding cartridge that can hit a bear with a 155-grain bullet coming in at 2,390 fps and 1,966 ft/lbs.

Why is bear meat poisonous?

Bear meat should be thoroughly cooked as it can carry a parasitic infection known as trichinella and is potentially lethal to humans. It is the single biggest vector of trichinosis in North America.