Food Habits, Growth, and Cover Types Used by Northern Wisconsin Black Bears

Abstract

Black bear (Ursus americanus) food habits were determined by examining 630 scats collected during May through August 1976 and 1977. Seasonally important food items were grasses (Gramineae), sweet cicely (Osmorhiza Claytonii), and aspen (Populus tremuloides) in spring; gooseberries (Ribes spp.), blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), and ants (Formicidae) in summer; blackcherries (Prunus serotina), wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis), and domestic oats (Avena sativa) in late summer. Green vegetation comprised the bulk of the diet. The lack of meat in the diet was a reflection of its availability. Use of cover types was related to food availability. No clear cover type preterence was observed. However, bears were captured or observed most often in areas with a diversity of forest cover types. Short term weight gains were similar for both sexes (0.49 kg/day for females and 0.50 kg/day for males). Mature males (3.5 years and older) usually were larger than females of the same age.