The Mountain State is home to a robust population of black bears, the only bear species residing in West Virginia. Finding a bear in the wild has become increasingly common for residents and visitors as their numbers have grown across the state. Conservation efforts have allowed this animal to thrive, making it a fixture of the state’s natural environment.
The Sole Resident: The American Black Bear
The American Black Bear, scientifically known as Ursus americanus, is the sole species residing in West Virginia. Despite the name, their coat color is not always black, though most individuals in the state are uniformly black with a lighter brown muzzle. About 5 to 10 percent may also feature a white marking or blaze on their chest.
This species is the smallest of North America’s bears, yet they are still large mammals. Adult males typically weigh between 150 and 400 pounds, though some larger males have exceeded 600 pounds in West Virginia. Adult females generally range from 100 to 300 pounds. The current population is estimated to be between 12,000 and 14,000 individuals, a dramatic recovery from an estimated low of only 500 bears in the early 1970s.
Habitat and Seasonal Behavior in West Virginia
The American Black Bear is widely distributed across West Virginia, having expanded from a small core of eastern mountain counties to be found statewide. The highest concentration is in a crescent-shaped area that includes the eastern mountains and extends across the southern and central counties. This adaptability allows them to use a variety of habitats, including mature forests, suburban woodlots, and areas near major cities.
Their seasonal behavior is heavily influenced by the need to accumulate fat reserves before denning for the winter, a period known as hyperphagia. Bears typically emerge from their dens in mid-March and re-enter them around mid-November, though food availability can cause this timing to vary. When they first emerge in the spring, natural food is scarce, leading them to consume grasses, forbs, and carrion.
The diet shifts in the summer to soft mast, including ripening raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Fall is the most important feeding season, as bears focus on hard mast like acorns, beech nuts, and hickory nuts, which provide the high calories necessary for hibernation. Females often give birth to their cubs, which weigh less than a pound, in the den during January or February.
Minimizing Human-Bear Encounters
The expanding bear population means human-bear conflicts are becoming more frequent, especially when bears are drawn to easily accessible human food sources. For residents, securing trash is the most effective action, as unsecured garbage accounts for twice the damage of all other conflict types combined. Bird feeders, which are attractive when natural food is scarce in the spring, should be removed by mid-March.
Campers and hikers should never store food, pet food, or scented items inside tents. Instead, place them in a vehicle trunk or a secure, bear-resistant container.
When a bear is sighted, remain calm and avoid running, which can trigger a chase instinct. Identify yourself by talking calmly and slowly waving your arms to help the bear recognize you as a human. If the bear approaches, stand your ground, make yourself appear larger, and shout, “Hey bear,” to encourage it to leave. Hikers can carry bear spray, a non-lethal deterrent effective at close range if an encounter escalates. If a physical attack occurs, which is extremely rare, fight back aggressively, concentrating on the bear’s face and nose.