VIRGINIA - Black bears are one of Virginia's most impressive wildlife success stories. Once nearly eliminated from the state, they have rebounded to a population of approximately 18,000 to 20,000 as of 2026. While bears are now found in nearly every corner of the Commonwealth—from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Great Dismal Swamp—the highest concentrations remain in the rugged western counties.
According to 2024–2026 data from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), here is the breakdown of the state's bear hotspots.
The Top Contender: Charlotte County
While historically the mountainous western counties led the state, Charlotte County has recently emerged as a primary leader in bear activity and harvest numbers. In the 2025–2026 season, Charlotte County reported 107 bears harvested, the highest in the state.
Charlotte and its neighbors in the southern Piedmont region have seen a significant population surge, likely due to a combination of excellent habitat and a shift in bear movement patterns away from areas impacted by recent mange outbreaks in the northwest.
Top 5 Bear Counties (by 2025–2026 Harvest)
Harvest data is the most reliable tool Virginia biologists use to estimate regional population density:
- Charlotte: 107
- Lunenburg: 86
- Buchanan: 81
- Pittsylvania: 79
- Halifax: 77
Regional Hotspots: The Piedmont and the Mountains
Virginia’s bear population is generally grouped into three major "strongholds."
1. The Southern Piedmont
This is currently the state's fastest-growing bear region. Counties like Charlotte, Lunenburg, and Mecklenburg offer a mix of agricultural land and dense woodlots that provide high-energy food sources. Hunters and residents alike have noted a marked increase in sightings in this region over the last three years.
2. The Blue Ridge & Alleghany Mountains
This is the "traditional" heart of bear country. Counties such as Rockbridge, Bath, and Augusta consistently host large populations. However, harvest numbers in some of these northwestern counties have recently dipped due to management efforts to combat sarcoptic mange and protect female bears for population recovery.
3. The Great Dismal Swamp
A unique, isolated population lives in the southeast, primarily in Suffolk and Chesapeake. These bears are known for being some of the largest in the state due to the lush, year-round food supply provided by the swamp environment.
Why are the Numbers Shifting?
You may notice that traditional "mountain" counties are being outpaced by the Piedmont. There are two main reasons for this:
- Mange Impact: In the northwest (counties like Shenandoah, Rockingham, and Page), mange has significantly impacted local populations. The DWR has intentionally reduced hunting seasons in 24 of these counties to allow the population to stabilize.
- Habitat Expansion: Bears are highly adaptable. As they move into the southern Piedmont, they are finding less competition for food and a landscape that supports rapid reproduction.
Managing the Population
The 2025–2026 statewide harvest of 2,344 bears was slightly lower than previous years, but this was an intentional result of management goals. Virginia biologists are currently focused on:
- Protecting Females: A new management goal aims to reduce the harvest of female bears in mange-impacted areas to ensure the population can rebound.
- Tracking Growth: The state continues to monitor the expansion of bears into suburban areas, including the Richmond and Northern Virginia corridors.
Bear Safety in the Commonwealth
With a thriving population, bear-human encounters are on the rise. Whether you are hiking the Appalachian Trail in the west or living in the growing southern Piedmont, it is essential to be "BearWise." This includes securing trash, removing bird feeders in the spring, and never feeding wildlife. In Virginia, a fed bear is often a dead bear, as they lose their natural fear of humans and can become a safety risk.
