OT - Black Bear in Virginia

[6pt-sika]

The last couple seasons we have been able to hunt black bear in my county during archery and ML seasons !

This hunting season of 2009 will be the first season in my 48 years that they have allowed us to pursue bear during the normal gun season !

I have a gunsmith buddy who has a friend that owns a peach orchard in the adjacent county . This county is one of the top 5 bear kill counties in the state of VA every year . Anyway they have a crop damage problem in the orchards there and the state allows them Damage Control Permits for the bear .

My buddies friend is going to allow my buddy and myself to hunt is orchard for one week in the afternoons and mornings to see if we can't get a bear or two on his DCP's . Which is fine with me as I have never taken a shot at a bear of ANY type !

I've got my Marlin 338MXLR ready to go with a Leupold 4.5-14 on top and sighted in (of course) with the Hornady rubber tipped stuff . I'm also going to take along my circa 1969 Marlin "First Model 444" with a Weaver K3 - 60B on top n case this place is really thick . Have a load with the Ranch Dog 432-350GC and H322 worked up for this rifle . That should be the hammer of Thor on a 100-200 pound blackie .

[bigbore442001]

I wish you well on the hunt. One of the biggest things I have learned about bear hunting is scent control. Make sure you are as scent free as possible. Set up a treestand near the area that seems to be getting the most damage.

[BenT]

The problem I have with bear hunting is that I have a big boar coming through and tearing up my bird feeders, I take them in at night now. But it takes a couple years to draw a bear tag. I wish i could just go by one over the counter. Good luck hunting!

[dr walker]

Good luck.

[86er]

I look forward to the report.

[6pt-sika]

My buddy has a deal it seems worked out with a taxidermist to mount a bear for both of us on the house !

This deal is getting better and better all the time .

Well that is if we get shots anyway

[gimdandy]

Have you considered ttaking your flintlock ?

[6pt-sika]

Have you considered ttaking your flintlock ?

No , I only plan to take one bear given the oppurtunity and I would either like to use the 338 Express or the 444 with a Ranch Dog cast bullet !

[kimwcook]

Good luck on your hunt. Looking forward to the pics and report.

[FLINT]

What county do you live in and which county are you going to hunt in?

I live on the west side of Rockingham county which has by far the biggest bear population in the state. It's not unusual to see bears in our yard or walking across or down our road.

For regular firearms, the bear season here is much longer than the deer season. also, most guys around here hunt bear with dogs.

[FLINT]

ps,

you are right though, bears are definitely spreading out more in va.

my parents live in cumberland and have seen bears lately and my sister in law lives in richmond and she just had a bear in her front yard last week.

we had a bear on campus last week at JMU, but that's not really unusual around here - bears come into town usually ever year.

[6pt-sika]

What county do you live in and which county are you going to hunt in?

I live in Orange , but the DCP's are for Madison .