Was up in the National Forest in Rockingham and Augusta County last few weekends and saw more bear hunters then I ever seen in all my years of tromping around. Are these newbies to the sport, or has Virginia become bear nirvana? PS. You'd never know the economy was bad by looking at all the dogs/hunters/trucks. Guessing the dogs are all being tracked by Astro's because all the trucks are sitting at the ends of the various national forest road access points. I'm guessing when all is said, this is the year of the bear in Virginia.

The bear population has been steadily increasing for the last few years with record harvests as a result.
I do not look for a record harvest this year as food was not as abundant statewide as in past years.
As for the # of bear hunters it is probably at it's peak. With technology making it easier to "bear hunt" and a good population of bear to hunt, I have seen more young people get into the sport lately.

Barry I thought we would set a record with the warm temps holding throughout the season and as you say not a tremendous mast crop which would keep them moving.

Tut, I've been over that way too, every truck had either a dog box or scrap on it!

Hunters in this area had a hard time finding bear the last 3 weeks of season

I hope they don't make it so you have to get a separate bear tag.