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Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Residents sight black bear in Leesburg Friday, Jul. 8 by Laura Peters | 14 comments | Email this story 16ShareNo lions or tigers, but bears are leaving Leesburg residents worried for their safety.
Posted by:
Loudoun News
()
Date: July 14, 2011 10:00AM
Residents sight black bear in Leesburg
Friday, Jul. 8 by Laura Peters
http://www.loudountimes.com/index.php/news/article/black_bear_sightings_in_leesburg123/
No lions or tigers, but bears are leaving Leesburg residents worried for their safety.
Residents on July 7 reported a black bear on Woodburn Road by Sydnor Hill Court in Leesburg.
According to Laura Rizer of Loudoun County Animal Control, black bear sightings in Loudoun County is relatively normal around this time of year.
“This is the time of year when the 2-year-old cubs are being kicked out by their mom, so they’re trying to find their own place in the world and they’re moving,” Rizer said. “Since we’ve become such a dense population, especially in the rural areas, they’ve traveled further and are going through more populated areas as they’re trying to find their little spot.”
Rizer says Loudoun animal control gets about a dozen reports of black bear sightings each year, but it’s the responsibility of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to investigate the calls.
The only way that the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries intervene is if the animal is sick, injured or considered a threat, according to Rizer, but she also mentions the bears sighted in the area aren’t a threat to the community.
“The bears are much more afraid of us than we are of them. Their instinct is to avoid us,” Rizer said. “They have no interest in us and no interest in attacking us. Their instinct is to lay low and keep moving. When you do see one, just let them be, let them pass, give them a good distance and let them go on their way and they’ll be fine.”
Rizer said bears usually make their way into populated areas to search for is food in trashcans, bird feeders or any other outdoor food sources, especially those found on farms.
Bear sightings are actually good for Loudoun County because it equates to a healthy ecosystem, Rizer said.
Residents who see a bear and believe them to be a threat should contact the Loudoun County Department of Animal Services at 703-777-0406 for eastern Loudoun and 540-882-3211 for western Loudoun. Residents may also contact the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries’ regional location in Fredericksburg at 540-899-4169.
Friday, Jul. 8 by Laura Peters
http://www.loudountimes.com/index.php/news/article/black_bear_sightings_in_leesburg123/
No lions or tigers, but bears are leaving Leesburg residents worried for their safety.
Residents on July 7 reported a black bear on Woodburn Road by Sydnor Hill Court in Leesburg.
According to Laura Rizer of Loudoun County Animal Control, black bear sightings in Loudoun County is relatively normal around this time of year.
“This is the time of year when the 2-year-old cubs are being kicked out by their mom, so they’re trying to find their own place in the world and they’re moving,” Rizer said. “Since we’ve become such a dense population, especially in the rural areas, they’ve traveled further and are going through more populated areas as they’re trying to find their little spot.”
Rizer says Loudoun animal control gets about a dozen reports of black bear sightings each year, but it’s the responsibility of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to investigate the calls.
The only way that the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries intervene is if the animal is sick, injured or considered a threat, according to Rizer, but she also mentions the bears sighted in the area aren’t a threat to the community.
“The bears are much more afraid of us than we are of them. Their instinct is to avoid us,” Rizer said. “They have no interest in us and no interest in attacking us. Their instinct is to lay low and keep moving. When you do see one, just let them be, let them pass, give them a good distance and let them go on their way and they’ll be fine.”
Rizer said bears usually make their way into populated areas to search for is food in trashcans, bird feeders or any other outdoor food sources, especially those found on farms.
Bear sightings are actually good for Loudoun County because it equates to a healthy ecosystem, Rizer said.
Residents who see a bear and believe them to be a threat should contact the Loudoun County Department of Animal Services at 703-777-0406 for eastern Loudoun and 540-882-3211 for western Loudoun. Residents may also contact the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries’ regional location in Fredericksburg at 540-899-4169.
Re: Residents sight black bear in Leesburg Friday, Jul. 8 by Laura Peters | 14 comments | Email this story 16ShareNo lions or tigers, but bears are leaving Leesburg residents worried for their safety.
Posted by:
Loudoun News
()
Date: July 28, 2011 04:43PM
More black bear sightings in Leesburg
Tuesday, Jul. 26 by Staff
http://www.loudountimes.com/index.php/news/article/more_black_bear_sightings_in_leesburg/
A black bear was seen in Leesburg on July 25. Amber Veney, a Leesburg resident, took this photo of the bear scampering through the front yard of her house in Woodlea Manor.
Attachments:
Tuesday, Jul. 26 by Staff
http://www.loudountimes.com/index.php/news/article/more_black_bear_sightings_in_leesburg/
A black bear was seen in Leesburg on July 25. Amber Veney, a Leesburg resident, took this photo of the bear scampering through the front yard of her house in Woodlea Manor.
Attachments:
Re: Residents sight black bear in Leesburg Friday, Jul. 8 by Laura Peters | 14 comments | Email this story 16ShareNo lions or tigers, but bears are leaving Leesburg residents worried for their safety.
Posted by:
Loudoun County News
()
Date: August 11, 2011 12:29PM
A grizzly situation for Loudoun residents
Tuesday, Aug. 9 by Laura Peters
http://www.loudountimes.com/index.php/news/article/a_grizzly_situation_for_loudoun_residents123/
Loudoun County has its share of animal sightings, but according to John Rohm of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, he’s received more calls of black bear sightings this year than previous years.
Rohm says there have been multiple bear sightings, but there might only be about three to four bears in the area. The same bears are likely just roaming in different areas trying to find food.
“It’s been a very active year, a little more active since I’ve been here,” Rohm says of being with the department since 2005.
Most of the bears in the area are finding refuge in residents’ bird feeders or trash cans, Rohm said. He says that once the bears figure out how to get the bird seed out of the feeders they will return to the same spots for food.
“It’s such an easy food source so once they learn how to get the bird seed, they’ll keep doing it,” Rohm said.
The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries began receiving calls starting around January and February from residents who reported seeing bears in Morven Park in the Leesburg area. But some bears are traveling as far as Dulles Airport, where one was spotted on the airport’s property. Another was found on the side of the Dulles Toll Road, the victim of an apparent collision.
Rohm also said that some bears from Loudoun might be moving toward the Reston and Fairfax areas - but are slowly returning to Loudoun in search of more land.
Residents on July 7 reported a black bear on Woodburn Road by Sydnor Hill Court in Leesburg.
The bear sighted on Sydnor Hill has been said to be a mother bear with two cubs. Rohm says the other bears that have been seen in the area are most likely younger male cubs, around 2 years old, who’ve been kicked out of the mother’s den to be on their own.
According to Laura Rizer of Loudoun County Animal Control, black bear sightings in Loudoun County is relatively normal around this time of year.
“This is the time of year when the 2-year-old cubs are being kicked out by their mom, so they’re trying to find their own place in the world and they’re moving,” Rizer said. “Since we’ve become such a dense population, especially in the rural areas, they’ve traveled further and are going through more populated areas as they’re trying to find their little spot.”
Rizer says Loudoun Animal Control gets about a dozen reports of black bear sightings each year, but it’s the responsibility of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to investigate the calls.
The only time that the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries intervenes is if the animal is sick, injured or considered a threat, according to Rizer, but she also mentions the bears sighted in the area aren’t a threat to the community.
“The bears are much more afraid of us than we are of them. Their instinct is to avoid us,” Rizer said. “They have no interest in us and no interest in attacking us. Their instinct is to lay low and keep moving. When you do see one, just let them be, let them pass, give them a good distance and let them go on their way and they’ll be fine.”
Rizer said bears usually make their way into populated areas to search for is food in trashcans, bird feeders or any other outdoor food sources, especially those found on farms.
Bear sightings are actually good for Loudoun County because it equates to a healthy ecosystem, Rizer said.
Residents who see a bear and believe them to be a threat should contact the Loudoun County Department of Animal Services at 703-777-0406 for eastern Loudoun and 540-882-3211 for western Loudoun. Residents may also contact the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries’ regional location in Fredericksburg at 540-899-4169.
Attachments:
Tuesday, Aug. 9 by Laura Peters
http://www.loudountimes.com/index.php/news/article/a_grizzly_situation_for_loudoun_residents123/
Loudoun County has its share of animal sightings, but according to John Rohm of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, he’s received more calls of black bear sightings this year than previous years.
Rohm says there have been multiple bear sightings, but there might only be about three to four bears in the area. The same bears are likely just roaming in different areas trying to find food.
“It’s been a very active year, a little more active since I’ve been here,” Rohm says of being with the department since 2005.
Most of the bears in the area are finding refuge in residents’ bird feeders or trash cans, Rohm said. He says that once the bears figure out how to get the bird seed out of the feeders they will return to the same spots for food.
“It’s such an easy food source so once they learn how to get the bird seed, they’ll keep doing it,” Rohm said.
The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries began receiving calls starting around January and February from residents who reported seeing bears in Morven Park in the Leesburg area. But some bears are traveling as far as Dulles Airport, where one was spotted on the airport’s property. Another was found on the side of the Dulles Toll Road, the victim of an apparent collision.
Rohm also said that some bears from Loudoun might be moving toward the Reston and Fairfax areas - but are slowly returning to Loudoun in search of more land.
Residents on July 7 reported a black bear on Woodburn Road by Sydnor Hill Court in Leesburg.
The bear sighted on Sydnor Hill has been said to be a mother bear with two cubs. Rohm says the other bears that have been seen in the area are most likely younger male cubs, around 2 years old, who’ve been kicked out of the mother’s den to be on their own.
According to Laura Rizer of Loudoun County Animal Control, black bear sightings in Loudoun County is relatively normal around this time of year.
“This is the time of year when the 2-year-old cubs are being kicked out by their mom, so they’re trying to find their own place in the world and they’re moving,” Rizer said. “Since we’ve become such a dense population, especially in the rural areas, they’ve traveled further and are going through more populated areas as they’re trying to find their little spot.”
Rizer says Loudoun Animal Control gets about a dozen reports of black bear sightings each year, but it’s the responsibility of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to investigate the calls.
The only time that the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries intervenes is if the animal is sick, injured or considered a threat, according to Rizer, but she also mentions the bears sighted in the area aren’t a threat to the community.
“The bears are much more afraid of us than we are of them. Their instinct is to avoid us,” Rizer said. “They have no interest in us and no interest in attacking us. Their instinct is to lay low and keep moving. When you do see one, just let them be, let them pass, give them a good distance and let them go on their way and they’ll be fine.”
Rizer said bears usually make their way into populated areas to search for is food in trashcans, bird feeders or any other outdoor food sources, especially those found on farms.
Bear sightings are actually good for Loudoun County because it equates to a healthy ecosystem, Rizer said.
Residents who see a bear and believe them to be a threat should contact the Loudoun County Department of Animal Services at 703-777-0406 for eastern Loudoun and 540-882-3211 for western Loudoun. Residents may also contact the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries’ regional location in Fredericksburg at 540-899-4169.
Attachments:
Re: Residents sight black bear in Leesburg Friday, Jul. 8 by Laura Peters | 14 comments | Email this story 16ShareNo lions or tigers, but bears are leaving Leesburg residents worried for their safety.
Posted by:
Living with Black Bears in Virginia
()
Date: September 10, 2011 09:20AM
Living with Black Bears in Virginia
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/bear/living-with-black-bears/
As Virginia's black bear population grows and expands, black bears are becoming an increasingly common sight across the Commonwealth. Additionally, human populations are also growing and spreading across most areas of Virginia.
Black bears and human populations commonly coexist in many parts of North America. Black bears occur throughout most of the Commonwealth, and residential areas of Virginia are encroaching into forested lands and habitats commonly used by wildlife.
Many people enjoy the opportunity to see bears in the wild. However, when human-related foods become available to bears, problems may occur.
Residents and visitors to Virginia can minimize negative interactions with bears by following some simple guidelines.
Residential Bear Problems
Bears are highly adaptable, intelligent animals and may learn to associate human dwellings with food. Bears are attracted to residential areas by the smell of food around homes.
•The most common food attractants are bird feeders, garbage, and pet food, but grills, livestock food, compost, and beehives can also attract bears.
•Residential bear problems may occur at any time of year, but are more common when natural food supplies are limited, usually in spring or in years when nut and berry productions are low.
•Most common bear problems have simple solutions. The typical problems involve turned-over garbage containers, trash littered across the yard, bears entering dog pens or coming onto porches to eat pet foods, or damaged birdfeeders. However, bears that learn to associate food with people can cause property damage in their search for food around houses.
If addressed quickly, problems are often resolved immediately. After a few failed attempts to find food, bears will usually leave the area and return to more normal wild food items.
If problems are ignored, property damage can not only get worse, but bears may lose their fear of humans. Bears habituated to humans pose public safety concerns and often need to be destroyed.
You Can Prevent Nuisance Bear Problems
Black bears have a natural fear of humans, are shy, and usually avoid people. However, bears may be attracted to food sources in residential areas.
•Secure your garbage: Store garbage indoors, in a shed, in a garage, or in a bear-proof container.
•Put garbage out in the morning of pickup, not the night before.
•Take trash to the dump frequently.
•Pick up pet food: Feed pets only what they will eat in a single feeding or feed them indoors. Remove the food bowl soon after pets finish. Pick up uneaten food. Do not leave food out overnight.
•Remove the bird feeder: Bears consume seeds and nuts found in the wild, so bird feeders become a favored target for bears.
•Clean the outdoor grill often.
•Do not put meat scraps or any other strong-smelling food in the compost pile. Consider an enclosed compost bin.
•Pick up and remove ripe fruit from fruit trees and surrounding grounds.
•Install electric fencing to protect beehives, dumpsters, gardens, compost piles, or other potential food sources.
•Talk to your neighbors: Make sure your neighbors and community are aware of the ways to prevent nuisance bear problems.
Your Role
Prevention and cooperation!
You can help manage the Commonwealth's black bear population by keeping your property clear of food attractants and communicating with your neighbors to resolve community bear concerns. Remember, it is illegal to deliberately feed bears on both public and private lands. Even the inadvertent feeding of problem bears is illegal. (4 VAC 15-40-282)
Respect the bear's space!
If a bear is on or near your property, do not escalate the situation by approaching, crowding around, or chasing the bear. This also applies to bears that have climbed up a tree. The best thing you can do is leave it alone. Because bears are naturally afraid of humans, a bear that feels cornered will be looking for an escape route. By keeping people and pets away from the bear, you give it the best chance to come down from the tree and leave your property on its own.
Report unresolved problems or damage
If you experience a bear problem after taking appropriate steps of prevention, you may seek additional assistance by contacting VDGIF or local law enforcement.
The Department's Role
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) has established nuisance bear guidelines that promote public safety, protect property, and conserve bear populations. Whenever possible, the Department's approach to managing problem bears encourages the coexistence of bears and humans. The specific response to nuisance bear problems is determined by public concerns, public safety, type and extent of damage, black bear biology, animal welfare, and available control methods.
When you call the Department, an employee will discuss the problem with you. In most cases, a telephone call will be all that is necessary to find successful solutions (usually the removal of attractants). At times, a Department employee may visit your property to discuss additional options.
To find the VDGIF office nearest you, see our office locator or call the Department's law enforcement dispatch at (804) 367-1258.
Feeding Bears is Illegal in Virginia
Wildlife Managers don't recommend feeding wildlife due to concerns surrounding disease transmission and habituation of wildlife to human foods. In Virginia, it is now illegal to deliberately feed bears on both public and private lands. Bears attracted to residential areas or human dwellings due to feeding activities by people can cause problems ranging from nuisance activity to serious property damage. Regretfully, these animals often have to be destroyed.
4VAC 15-40-281. Unauthorized feeding of bear, deer, or turkey on national forest lands and department-owned lands.
It shall be unlawful to place or direct the placement of, deposit, distribute, or scatter food or salt capable of attracting or being eaten by bear, deer or turkey on national forest lands or on department-owned lands without the written authorization of the Director of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries or his designee. The provisions of this section shall not prohibit the disposal of food in trash receptacles provided by the U.S. Forest Service on national forest lands or by the department on department-owned lands.
4VAC 15-40-282. Unauthorized feeding of bear.
It shall be unlawful for any person as defined in § 1-230 of the Code of Virginia to place, distribute, or allow the placement of food, minerals, carrion, trash, or similar substances to feed or attract bear. Nor, upon notification by department personnel, shall any person continue to place, distribute, or allow the placement of any food, mineral, carrion, trash, or similar substances for any purpose if the placement of these materials results in the presence of bear. After such notification, such person shall be in violation of this section if the placing, distribution, or presence of such food, minerals, carrion, trash, or similar substances continues. This section shall not apply to wildlife management activities conducted or authorized by the department.
§ 1-230. Person.
"Person" includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof.
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/bear/living-with-black-bears/
As Virginia's black bear population grows and expands, black bears are becoming an increasingly common sight across the Commonwealth. Additionally, human populations are also growing and spreading across most areas of Virginia.
Black bears and human populations commonly coexist in many parts of North America. Black bears occur throughout most of the Commonwealth, and residential areas of Virginia are encroaching into forested lands and habitats commonly used by wildlife.
Many people enjoy the opportunity to see bears in the wild. However, when human-related foods become available to bears, problems may occur.
Residents and visitors to Virginia can minimize negative interactions with bears by following some simple guidelines.
Residential Bear Problems
Bears are highly adaptable, intelligent animals and may learn to associate human dwellings with food. Bears are attracted to residential areas by the smell of food around homes.
•The most common food attractants are bird feeders, garbage, and pet food, but grills, livestock food, compost, and beehives can also attract bears.
•Residential bear problems may occur at any time of year, but are more common when natural food supplies are limited, usually in spring or in years when nut and berry productions are low.
•Most common bear problems have simple solutions. The typical problems involve turned-over garbage containers, trash littered across the yard, bears entering dog pens or coming onto porches to eat pet foods, or damaged birdfeeders. However, bears that learn to associate food with people can cause property damage in their search for food around houses.
If addressed quickly, problems are often resolved immediately. After a few failed attempts to find food, bears will usually leave the area and return to more normal wild food items.
If problems are ignored, property damage can not only get worse, but bears may lose their fear of humans. Bears habituated to humans pose public safety concerns and often need to be destroyed.
You Can Prevent Nuisance Bear Problems
Black bears have a natural fear of humans, are shy, and usually avoid people. However, bears may be attracted to food sources in residential areas.
•Secure your garbage: Store garbage indoors, in a shed, in a garage, or in a bear-proof container.
•Put garbage out in the morning of pickup, not the night before.
•Take trash to the dump frequently.
•Pick up pet food: Feed pets only what they will eat in a single feeding or feed them indoors. Remove the food bowl soon after pets finish. Pick up uneaten food. Do not leave food out overnight.
•Remove the bird feeder: Bears consume seeds and nuts found in the wild, so bird feeders become a favored target for bears.
•Clean the outdoor grill often.
•Do not put meat scraps or any other strong-smelling food in the compost pile. Consider an enclosed compost bin.
•Pick up and remove ripe fruit from fruit trees and surrounding grounds.
•Install electric fencing to protect beehives, dumpsters, gardens, compost piles, or other potential food sources.
•Talk to your neighbors: Make sure your neighbors and community are aware of the ways to prevent nuisance bear problems.
Your Role
Prevention and cooperation!
You can help manage the Commonwealth's black bear population by keeping your property clear of food attractants and communicating with your neighbors to resolve community bear concerns. Remember, it is illegal to deliberately feed bears on both public and private lands. Even the inadvertent feeding of problem bears is illegal. (4 VAC 15-40-282)
Respect the bear's space!
If a bear is on or near your property, do not escalate the situation by approaching, crowding around, or chasing the bear. This also applies to bears that have climbed up a tree. The best thing you can do is leave it alone. Because bears are naturally afraid of humans, a bear that feels cornered will be looking for an escape route. By keeping people and pets away from the bear, you give it the best chance to come down from the tree and leave your property on its own.
Report unresolved problems or damage
If you experience a bear problem after taking appropriate steps of prevention, you may seek additional assistance by contacting VDGIF or local law enforcement.
The Department's Role
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) has established nuisance bear guidelines that promote public safety, protect property, and conserve bear populations. Whenever possible, the Department's approach to managing problem bears encourages the coexistence of bears and humans. The specific response to nuisance bear problems is determined by public concerns, public safety, type and extent of damage, black bear biology, animal welfare, and available control methods.
When you call the Department, an employee will discuss the problem with you. In most cases, a telephone call will be all that is necessary to find successful solutions (usually the removal of attractants). At times, a Department employee may visit your property to discuss additional options.
To find the VDGIF office nearest you, see our office locator or call the Department's law enforcement dispatch at (804) 367-1258.
Feeding Bears is Illegal in Virginia
Wildlife Managers don't recommend feeding wildlife due to concerns surrounding disease transmission and habituation of wildlife to human foods. In Virginia, it is now illegal to deliberately feed bears on both public and private lands. Bears attracted to residential areas or human dwellings due to feeding activities by people can cause problems ranging from nuisance activity to serious property damage. Regretfully, these animals often have to be destroyed.
4VAC 15-40-281. Unauthorized feeding of bear, deer, or turkey on national forest lands and department-owned lands.
It shall be unlawful to place or direct the placement of, deposit, distribute, or scatter food or salt capable of attracting or being eaten by bear, deer or turkey on national forest lands or on department-owned lands without the written authorization of the Director of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries or his designee. The provisions of this section shall not prohibit the disposal of food in trash receptacles provided by the U.S. Forest Service on national forest lands or by the department on department-owned lands.
4VAC 15-40-282. Unauthorized feeding of bear.
It shall be unlawful for any person as defined in § 1-230 of the Code of Virginia to place, distribute, or allow the placement of food, minerals, carrion, trash, or similar substances to feed or attract bear. Nor, upon notification by department personnel, shall any person continue to place, distribute, or allow the placement of any food, mineral, carrion, trash, or similar substances for any purpose if the placement of these materials results in the presence of bear. After such notification, such person shall be in violation of this section if the placing, distribution, or presence of such food, minerals, carrion, trash, or similar substances continues. This section shall not apply to wildlife management activities conducted or authorized by the department.
§ 1-230. Person.
"Person" includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof.