Beyond the Bird Feeder: The Surprising Science of Black Bear Predation
As black bear populations rebound across North America, the line between wild carnivore and human-bear conflict continues to blur. Science shows that while they are formidable predators, black bears’ preference for “easy” calories is what truly defines their complex role in our modern landscape.
By John Nettles, Boone and Crockett Club Fellow, Clemson University
Black bear hunting plays an important role in the local history and culture of much of North America. However, by the early 1900s, overhunting and habitat degradation had dramatically reduced black bear populations. Thanks to successful conservation efforts by agencies and harvest managers, populations have since rebounded. In fact, the American black bear is now the world’s most abundant large carnivore and one of the very few carnivores with an increasing population. This recovery has allowed many states to expand current seasons or reestablish hunting seasons for black bear.
The story of black bear conservation doesn’t stop there, though. Increasing numbers of both people and bears have led to greater overlap between the two populations and to a new conservation challenge: human-bear conflict (HBC). Read more
