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Black Bear
(Ursus americanus)
Physical Description
American black bears can be black, brown or cinnamon in coloration. Many
black bears have a white splash on their chest. Their faces look delicate
and small and are covered with a thin layer of brown fur. The black bear
has very big hindquarters with short, strong limbs, which makes them walk
slowly. They have rounded ears. When walking they have a gait similar to
that of human beings as their heels and soles touch the ground as humans
do. Black bears are 36 to 40 inches at the shoulder and they average six
feet in length.
Average Weight Range
Mature black bears range in weight from 250 to over 600 pounds.
Reproduction
Breeding season usually occurs from June through August, and pairs can
remain together for as little as a few hours or up to several days,
copulating many times. Females start to reproduce when they are three to
four years of age and do so until they are about 25 years of age. They
only breed every other year. Mating starts when the female secretes
estrus, which excites the males. Males compete with each other for
breeding opportunities and seek females each year. Females reproduce
through a process known as delayed implantation. The male will mate and
the cubs will not begin to develop in the female until the food supply
will be efficient for them when they are born. Cubs are born in January
and February. The female will hibernate in a cave (den) during the
gestation period. Average litter size is usually two cubs although
triplets or quadruplets are occasionally born. Gestation lasts for about
seven months. The cubs stay with the mother for up to 18 months and learn
how to protect themselves from danger, forage for food and climb trees.
Food Usage/Selection
The black bear is a predator and strong hunter with a very good sense of
smell. They are omnivores and feed on insects, nuts, fruits, plants,
honey, fish, small mammals and carion.
Range
Black bears are commonly found in the woodlands of North America. They are
currently found in northern Mexico, 32 states of the United States and
throughout the Canadian provinces excepting Prince Edward Island.
Habitat
The American black bear usually inhabits heavily wooded areas and is
sometimes found in scrub forests.
Common Hunting Methods
Black bears are pursued with rifle, archery equipment and black powder. It
is always wise to glass or watch black bears and pattern them in the
morning before hunting them in the evening. Black bears normally follow
the same route to feeding areas in the evening. Tree stands are usually 10
to 15 feet high and are located at an average shooting distance of
approximately 15 to 18 yards from baits for bow hunters. Portable stands
are recommended for rifle or bow hunting. Dogs are also utilized for bear
hunting in some areas.
Hunting Challenges/Values
Black bear hunting is very popular. The meat is can be prepared many
different ways, while the hides are frequently made into rugs.
Interesting Tidbits
The largest American known black bear weighed 805 pounds
The fur of a black bear falls out and grows back each year
The American black bear moves up to 35 miles per hour and can also swim
and climb trees with ease
Black bears consume up to 40 pounds of food a day when food is abundant
Black bears hibernate for up to 7 months in a year
Black bears live up to 20 years in the wild and even longer in captivity
Black bear cubs weigh about a half pound at birth and grow rapidly by
feeding on the mother’s milk and, they weigh as much as a human infant
after a few months.
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