Brown Bear Movements and Habitat Use at Karluk Lake, Kodiak Island

January 1, 1980

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Since 1967, brown bears (Ursus arctos middendorffi) have been radiotracked in studies devoted to movements and use of habitat. A total of 487 contacts were made with 29 animals. The bears tended to move to Karluk Lake streams in July to feed on salmon. In August, they spent more time in the midlands to feed on berries. Midlands appeared to be preferred for hiding and resting. Uplands were primarily used for cross-country travel and for denning in winter. Denning usually occurred in alder patches on northeast-facing slopes at elevations of 483 m to 670 m. Home ranges of 7 males averaged 24.4 km2 as compared with 14.3 km2 for single females during the summer and 10.6 km2 for females with young during the fall. More data are needed on the period from den emergence to summer before all the habitat requirements at Karluk Lake can actually be identified.

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