Dennis Russell,
Wintergreen Police Chief

Coming from a large Sheriff’s Office in Florida, I have dealt with unique wildlife including alligators. An occasional fox, skunk, opossum, or armadillo might cross my path, no big deal. However, after relocating to Virginia the list of animal encounters and species involved have increased exponentially to include snakes (dislike them immensely) and bears.

Bears are majestic animals; throw in a few cubs and they become downright amazing. I learned quickly that bears have an incredible sense of smell and are drawn to things such as trash, dog food, and the occasional freshly cooked pie left in a window (true story).

Bears are intelligent creatures and learn quickly how to open car doors, dumpster hatches, and door handles on homes. One call for service involved a bear that had entered a home, opened the refrigerator, and helped itself to a plethora of goodies.

Bears here normally do not attack humans; however, if challenged their fight-or-flight response kicks in. Add a cub or two to the mix and the fight becomes real. Mother bears will protect cubs without concern for themselves.

Purposefully feeding bears is illegal. You may not realize it, but leaving trash by your car to take to the dumpster later is a form of feeding. Having a bird feeder out during certain times of the year can be considered feeding. As a Bear Smart community, you can familiarize yourself by visiting WPOA’s Bear Smart page.

Dogs and bears

Virginia’s Department of Wildlife Resources offers the following tips when walking your pet in an area known to have bears:

• Keep your dog on a non-retractable leash at all times.

• Carry bear spray and know how to use it.

• Stay alert — music and phones are distracting.

• Avoid walking at dawn, dusk, or at night in areas with known bear activity.

• If you see a bear, turn around and leave.

• Don’t let your dog bark at, harass, chase, or corner a bear.

• If your dog gets into a fight with a bear, don’t try to rescue it. You will get injured. Instead, use your bear spray.

Unfortunately, this past season we had several cases of mange. Bear mange is truly an insidious disease and turns our majestic bears into hairless animals that resemble nothing I could imagine. Bear mange is transmissible to other bears, other wildlife, dogs, and even humans. Please take a moment to look over this brochure to better understand this issue: Black Bear Mange: What You Need to Know (virginia.gov).

We live in a beautiful part of Virginia. Enjoying the great outdoors is a hobby that many people share. Take time to behold the beauty of our community but remember to be aware of the wildlife, too. Foxes, skunks, whistle pigs (one of my favorites), wild mountain goats (I have seen these with my own eyes), bobcats, coyotes, and bears, to name a few, wander in and out of our community.

They may look cute and some even cuddly, but they are animals and can be unpredictable. Admire them from afar and be thankful for the beauty our community holds.

Remember to call the Police Department at 434-325-1106 (non-emergency) if you come into contact with coyotes (they prey on animals such as pets) or animals that appear to have rabies, or to have mange, or to be injured and suffering.