RE: new to virginia bear hunting
If its like anything here in Pa. We cant bait or use dogs so unless you hunt with a bunch of guys that drive the woods, its very tough.
I scored this year after 10 years of bear hunting by myself. We had a extended beer season that was in the first week of deer season. All of the hunters in the woods were moving the game around. I got up high on a ledge over looking a trail and the wind was at my face blowing up. I was waiting for deer but a bear was even better. I took a 225yard double lung shot with my 300 win mag. I like 30 caliber guns using 180 grain for bear. 30-06 is a great round and it has enough punch for the long shots.
You got to hunt what ever way the wind will let you. Bear cant see well but their nose cant be fooled so be flexable the day of the hunt. Use a cover scent on all of your hunting gear. I cant stress how good their nose can be.
Find a high spot overlooking a good trail and sit and wait for other hunters to move the bear to you. Be patient and watch closely because bear moves silent through the woods. Keep your scopes lens caps off and be ready to shoot fast. They dont hang around long under hunting pressure.