The effects of hunter harvest on a tagged sample of black bears (Ursus americanus) (198 males, 144 females) in east-central Ontario were investigated from 1969 to 1980. Hunters annually removed an average of 18% of available males and 10% of available females during spring hunts and 5% of available males and 2% of available females during fall hunts. During the 12 year period, hunters shot 32% of all tagged males and 28% of all tagged females. Mean and maximum elapsed times between tagging and hunter kills were 2.1 and 6 years, respectively, for males and 3.4 and 11 years, respectively, for females. Males aged 2-6 years were more vulnerable than younger or older males. For females, 3- to 6-year-olds were more vulnerable than the younger or older age classes. Females older than age 6 appeared relatively invulnerable, as only 13 of 35 different bears at risk for a total of 292 years were harvested. Eight of those kills occurred during the final 3 years, when spring hunting pressure on the study area increased by 700% over the 1969 level. The frequency of movements > 20 km between capture and kill sites was greater for males than females. More males (72%) than females (20%) were killed outside the study area. The major effects of hunting were to reduce population size and lower the mean age of captured males. The prolonged period of maturation for black bears in Ontario, and the increased vulnerability of adult females, with increased hunting pressure emphasized the need for conservative provincial harvest quotas.
- Volume 6
- Issue
- Pages 45-55
- Publication Date 1 January 1986
- DOI 10.2307/3872805
- File Size 537.93 KB
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