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Two geographically discrete populations of black bears (Ursus americanus) in Idaho were studied during 1973-76. The Council population, located in west-central Idaho, has a history of heavy hunting pressure, accessibility, and liberal hunting seasons. The Lowell population in north-central Idaho has relatively light hunting pressure, poor accessibility, and liberal hunting seasons. An analysis of the male and female age structures indicated that adult males were more susceptible to hunting than other segments of the population. Sex composition differed significantly between subadult and adult segments of the 2 populations, but not between populations. Mean litter size was 1.9 at Council and 1.7 at Lowell. Productivity (number of young produced per year) appears to be density-independent and a function of habitat quality and the number of adult females present in the population.