• Version
• Download 11
• File Size 288.90 KB
• Create Date 1 January 1986
• Download

Movements of radio-collared black bears (Ursus americanus) were documented during the 1980 and 1981 breeding seasons on Long Island, Wash. Males and females were 1st found in association 21 May 1980 and 10 May 1981 with no associations documented after 5 July 1981 and 2 July 1980. The peak in breeding associations occurred between 12 and 30 June both years. Individual females were visited periodically by males for 4-7 week periods during the breeding season. Most associations were brief, lasting only 0.25-2 hours, presumably as males assessed the estrous stage of a female. These brief associations preceded and followed extended associations that lasted 2-5.25 days. These longer associations, believed to be the actual breeding period, were characterized by the pairing of the female with 1 of the 2 dominant males (identified through observations of male/male observations) and frequently the presence of 1 or 2 of the other males. In these situations the dominant male generally remained closest to the female during the entire period. The 3 most dominant males were associated with each of the 7 females without cubs in 1981. The 4th male was associated with 3 of the 7 females.