As Virginians prepare to ring in 2026, state wildlife officials are issuing a sobering end-of-year message to residents, particularly those in sprawling suburban zones outside of Washington D.C. and Richmond: You have new neighbors, and they are increasingly bold.
Today, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) issued a "population advisory warning" regarding the state’s black bear numbers. The warning is not just about the total count of the animals—which is at a historic high—but specifically about their rapid geographic expansion into densely populated residential corridors previously considered outside their primary range.
According to new data released by the DWR, bear sightings and "conflict calls" in suburban counties have risen by nearly 40% over the last three years.
The Success Story That Became a Challenge
The story of the Virginia black bear is one of remarkable conservation success. Decades ago, the population was dwindling, largely confined to the remote pockets of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Dismal Swamp. Through careful management and reforestation efforts, the population has rebounded vigorously.
However, that success has reached a tipping point.
"We are seeing what we call an 'apex expansion'," said Dr. Evelyn Reed, lead biologist for the DWR’s Carnivore Management Team. "The historic habitats are full. Young bears, particularly males looking to establish their own territory, are being pushed outward. They are following river corridors and greenways right into the backyards of Fairfax, Loudoun, and Henrico counties."
Compounding the issue right now is an unusually mild start to the 2025-2026 winter. With temperatures staying above freezing for much of December, many bears have delayed entering torpor (their winter hibernation state), keeping them active and hungry far later in the season than usual.
The "Suburban Buffet"
The core of the warning focuses on "habituation"—the process where wild animals lose their natural fear of humans because they associate people with easy food.
Suburban Virginia offers an endless calorie buffet that forest foraging cannot match: unsecured trash cans, overflowing bird feeders, pet food left on porches, and grease-laden barbecue grills.
"A 300-pound bear can crack open a standard plastic garbage bin faster than you can open a soda can," Dr. Reed warned. "Once a bear learns that a subdivision means an easy 5,000 calories a night, they will not go back to eating acorns in the woods. They will return, and they will become bolder."
While black bear attacks on humans remain rare, the DWR notes that the risk increases significantly when bears become "food-conditioned." A habituated bear that is startled by a homeowner taking out the trash or walking a dog is unpredictable.
The New Year's Call to Action
As residents prepare for New Year's Eve parties—often involving large amounts of food waste—the DWR is urging homeowners to take immediate, proactive steps to secure their properties.
The official advisory instructs residents to:
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Lock Down Trash: Do not put trash cans out the night before pickup. Keep them secured in a garage or shed until the morning of collection. If they must stay outside, invest in certified bear-resistant containers.
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Remove Bird Feeders Now: The DWR strongly advises removing all bird feeders until April. There are ample natural food sources for birds right now; feeders are essentially bear bait.
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Secure Pet Food: Never leave kibble or water bowls outside overnight.
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Clean the Grill: Burn off and scrape outdoor grills after every use, including the drip tray.
"We cannot relocate our way out of this population boom," the DWR statement concluded. "Living responsibly with wildlife is now a requirement for suburban Virginians, not just those living in the mountains. If you feed them, even unintentionally, they will come."
