BLACK BEAR DAMAGE IN VIRGINIA

Authors

Michael R. Vaughan, Virginia Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit
Patrick F. Scanlon, Fish and Wildlife Science, VPI
Sue Evelyn P. Mersmann, Virginia Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit
Dennis D. Martin, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Staunton, VA

Date of this Version

September 1989

Abstract

We examined records of black bear damage in Virginia on Shenandoah National Park, (SNP) (1979-1988) and non-Park lands (1973-1988). Mean annual damage was $5,470 on non-Park lands and $1,217 on the Park. Corn and beehives accounted for 79 percent and personal property for 72 percent of the economic loss on non-Park and Park lands respectively. Young males were responsible for most damage on non-Park lands while adults of both sexes caused most damage on SNP. Over 70 percent of bear damage incidents in the state occurred either on the Park or on land immediately adjacent to the Park. Moving bears to alleviate damage is expensive and may only move the problem to a new location.