Be Bear Aware – It’s the Season for Bear Sightings

Virginia is black bear country – including Fairfax County. But while bears are not commonly encountered in our community, multiple bear sightings are reported each spring and summer as bears wander into residential areas in search for food.   Awaking From Their Slumber Black bears and cubs emerge from their winter dens from March through May in Virginia. Bears typically avoid humans, but may be drawn into populated areas due to the smell of food around homes. Bears are attracted by bird feeders, garbage, outdoor pet food, compost piles, fruit trees, beehives and berry-producing shrubs.   8 Ways to Make Your Property Unattractive to Bears Preventing problems with bears is a shared responsibility. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and our county wildlife management specialist recommend the following simple steps to reduce your chances of encountering a black bear in your neighborhood: Secure your garbage in bear-resistant trash cans or store it in a secure building. If you have trash collection service, put your trash out the morning of the pickup, not the night before. Do not store household trash, or anything that smells like food, in vehicles, on porches or decks. Remove bird feeders if a bear [...]

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