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Body measurements and live weights were obtained from 3 black bear (Ursus americanus) populations in Montana. Although high correlation coefficients were usually found between log10 of weight and log10 of chest girth and between weight and a body size index (total length times chest girth squared), the regressions were significantly heterogeneous (P < 0.05) between males and females and between the females of 1 population and the other 2 populations. Interpopulation and sexual variations in the body proportions of black bears preclude the development of 1 accurate equation for the species or even for the populations found in Montana; however, both the intercepts and the exponents of the chest girth and the log10 weight-log10 chest girth equations were significantly correlated (P < 0.025) with the elevations of 8 study areas, suggesting that equations may be developed that are valid within elevational zones.