American black bear (Ursus americanus) feeding damage to conifer stands can result in substantial economic losses in the Pacific Northwest. However, little is known about which sex and age classes of bears cause the most damage and the effectiveness of current control methods. We examined the frequency, intensity, and total conifer damage by radio-monitoring 13 male and 9 female black bears from 1998 to 1999 to determine which sex and age classes caused the most damage. We also examined which sex and age classes were affected by control measures (hunting) to determine the efficacy of management actions. Females were associated with greater frequency (P = 0.078), intensity (P = 0.037), and total conifer damage (P = 0.015) than males. Adult females damaged more trees than other sex and age classes combined (P = 0.092). Adult males comprised the majority of bears removed by hunting (66%) but caused only 11% of total damage. Current damage control measures do not seem to be as effective as they could be. We recommend that current hunting practices be reexamined as a mechanism for damage control.
- Volume 13
- Issue
- Pages 231-236
- Publication Date 1 January 2002
- DOI
- File Size 268.89 KB
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