If you’re a nature enthusiast or planning a visit to the state, you might be asking, “Are there bears in West Virginia?” 

The state animal of West Virginia is a black bear. The selection in 1973 was through a poll by teachers, athletes, and students.

Bears are strong and known to open car doors and bend windows as they roam for food. Bears can also roll huge rocks and logs while searching for food. The experience of meeting a bear in your backyard can be terrifying. 

Many West Virginians have filed complaints of bear nuisance in their backyards while in search of food.

So, Are there Bears in West Virginia?

Yes, there are bears in West Virginia. The current population of bears in West Virginia is estimated to be 13000. The population has increased by over 50% of the number recorded in the 21st century.

The spike is also confirmed by the number of mortalities in 2022, where hunters killed over 1700 black bears during the bear hunting season.

Read ahead as we share about West Virginia bears and how to deal with some annoying bears. We also answer some critical questions about black bears in West virginia.

How Common are Bears in West Virginia?

The population of black bears in West Virginia is estimated to be slightly above 13000. The current population of people in West Virginia is 1.7 million. This means the odds of spotting a bear are rare, but in all the 55 counties, you’ll still come across a bear.

Most bears live in the mountainous regions, while some reside several miles away from the city. A research by West Virginia University reveals an increased number of bears in the region. In the research report, biologists believed the number of bear populations was at risk.

However, the population spiked over the last 50 years, prompting biologists to discover the factors that led to the increased bear population. 

Earlier in the 1970s, the bear population was 500 in West Virginia, and since then, bear harvesting has increased annually.

The research outcomes on the bear growth factors helped modify hunting seasons and protect the bear population.

Five Areas You’ll Come Across Black Bear in West Virginia

You’ll see bears in dense forests and rugged mountains in West Virginia. All the 55 counties in the region have bears. If you plan to visit the wilderness in West Virginia, below are the six places you’ll find bears.

1. Cranberry Wilderness

The wilderness is located in the Monongahela National Forest. The area measures 47,815 acres and is characterized by waterfalls, rugged mountains, and swimming holes ideal for bears.

In 1983, the Cranberry Wilderness was made a bear sanctuary for black bears. It is bordered by the Williams River and the South Forest. Besides bears, other animals, like foxes, wild turkeys, and bobcats, live in the wilderness.

In 1970, Cranberry Wilderness was selected in West Virginia as a suitable location to help rebuild the black bear population. The area was isolated and hence became the most convenient location for bears to begin spreading out.

2. Kanawha State Forest

Apart from Cranberry Wilderness, the Kanawha State Forest is another location where bears can be seen. The area spreads through 9,300 acres, a place where black bears often visit the Eastern Watershed Tracts.

The tracts make a home for the long-eared and Indiana bat. Besides the bears, dozens of wood warblers have made the forest their nesting habitat.

Kanawha County has plenty of black bears due to its proximity to the forest. Those who live in Kanawha City and Charleston often spot the bears. 

The bears often wander through the residential areas, but luckily, no incident of bear attack has been reported.

3. New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

Another spot where you come across bears is the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. The area is about 70,000 acres and features impressive views supporting many recreational activities.

Apart from spotting bears, the location has raccoons and skunks. Those living in Raleigh, Greenbrier, and Monroe Counties will likely encounter bears. If you are visiting West Virginia and ready to see more bears closer to the city, the best location is Beckley.

4. Coopers Rock State Forest

The Coopers Rock State Forest is located 13 miles from Morgantown and is popular with hikers, bikers, and climbers. 

It has historic sites, canyons, and picnic shelters. The forest covers about 12,747 acres providing plenty of roaming area for black bears.

About 180,000 visitors flock to the forest yearly to see black bears, bobcats, turkeys, and deer. 

Most visitors of Morgantown have reported sighting bears as the city is in the rolling hills where bears roam in the urban and residential areas.

5. Monongahela National Forest

Monongahela National Forest is the largest in West Virginia. The massive forest is in the Allegheny Mountains covering about 919,000 acres. Nature enthusiasts and tourists like roaming in the forest.

The forest is home to black bears, even though they are rare to sight. Other animals, like songbirds and whitetail deer, are easy to spot in the forest. 

The forest has many rivers, making it suitable for fishing and providing fresh water for black bears and other animals.

The Smoke Hole Canyon in the forest has a higher concentration of black bears and is suitable for visitors who want to see bears.

Are Black Bears in West Virginia a Problem?

Black bears are shy and likely to run away before spotting them. However, the bears are sometimes a problem if closer to the city as they encroach on homesteads in search of food. In most cases, citizens living closer to the forests find bears a problem.

According to West Virginia University research, human-bear conflicts have increased. For example, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources had 16,601 human-bear conflicts from 1997 to 2017.

To combat the conflicts, the WVDNR began educating West Virginians on how to live with bears. 

North Virginia University research revealed the conflict percentages as shown below.

Dealing With the Black Bear Problem in West Virginia

In rare cases, humans get attacked by bears in West Virginia. If you see a bear in your compound, chances are that there is an attraction like food. 

Previously, dealing with bear problems was through relocation. However, many died due to the unfamiliar environment.

Killing bears was also a solution to eliminating the bear problem, but the increase in parasites and diseases rendered the method ineffective. Therefore, when a bear becomes a nuisance, lethal measures are adopted.

Below are more ways to deal with bear nuisance.

• Do not feed or come closer to bears. When feeding bears, you teach them how to approach homes for food. In West Virginia, feeding bears is illegal. Avoid moving closer to bears, as they’ll try to defend themselves.
• Secure food and garbage. Black bears scavenge for food, which is one of the attractors. Do not make food easily available to the bears. Ensure your garbage is secured.
• Remove bird feeds. Most bird feeds have a high content of calories, which bears love. Ensure you remove the feeders once you feed the birds.
• Always keep pet food inside the house. Once you feed the pets, ensure you remove the leftovers and feeding bowls from the feeding areas. Make sure nothing is available for the bears.
• Clean and store grills. After using the grill, remove all the fat by cleaning them. Also, remove the grills once and store them. 

FAQs

1. How Many Black Bear Attacks Have Been in West Virginia?

No fatal bear attack has been reported in West Virginia. In most cases, bear sightings happen during specific times of the year, making it hard for bears to encounter humans frequently. However, cases of bears roaming in the backyards have been reported.

2. Are Bears Problematic in West Virginia?

Yes, bears are problematic in West Virginia. In a year, about 1000 nuisance cases are reported to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

3. Does West Virginia Have Plenty of Black Bears?

West Virginia has about 13,000 black bears. The number is an increase in the population available in the 21st century.

4. What Should You Do When You Spot a Bear in West Virginia?

If you spot a bear in West Virginia, stay calm and back off. You can secure yourself in a car or a house. Bears can be terrified just like humans, hence the need to remain calm.

Conclusion

Are there bears in West Virginia? Yes, bears are in West Virginia, as the environment provides the right conditions for bear breeding. Dense forest to massive wilderness allows bears to roam freely. 

About 13,000 bears are in West Virginia, meaning you’ll at least sight a bear in one of the various counties in the region. Bear and human conflicts exist hence the need to figure out how to manage the conflicts.

The best way to tame the conflict is to ensure food and other attractions are out of the bear’s vicinity.