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We studied denning chronology, den use, and den characteristics of the Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) in the remnant bottomland hardwood forests of the Tensas River Basin in northeastern Louisiana. We monitored 20 radio-collared bears (12 F, 8 M) for 30-den years during 1988-89, 1989-90, and 1990-91. Pregnant females (n = 9) entered dens earlier (P = 0.0002), emerged later (P = 0.0003), and denned longer (P = 0.0004) than all other bears. Pregnant females denned for an average of 142 days; they entered dens as early as 26 November and emerged as late as 30 May. At least 45% (n = 13) of bears used >1 den site during a denning season. Some (34%, n = 10) bears displayed some winter activity, and an adult male did not den during 1 year of the study. Bears denned in elevated cavities in bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) (n = 17), overcup oak (Quercus lyrata) (n = 2) and sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) (n = 1), ground nests (n = 17), and brushpiles (n = 7). Tree dens were used by 80% (n = 12) of all adult females and 68% (n = 15) of all adults. Only 1 bear, an adult male, reused a den (cypress). Bears denning in trees were less vulnerable to human disturbance than ground-denning bears. Availability of denning sites does not appear to be a limiting population factor but forestry management practices should be directed toward conserving forested wetlands and den trees, maintaining thick cover for ground dens, and reforestation.