Black bear

Ursus americanus

A forest omnivore whose movements follow seasonal food such as shoots, berries and nuts.

Field guide

A forest omnivore whose movements follow seasonal food such as shoots, berries and nuts.

Identification

Shared features

A stocky body, rounded ears, short tail and straight facial profile distinguish it from a canid.

Male

Adult males average larger and broader through the shoulders and neck, but size overlaps with females. Coat color, including brown variants, does not indicate sex.

Female

Adult females are often smaller and may be accompanied by cubs. A lone bear cannot be reliably sexed by coat or face shape; look for a clear view of anatomy or known family association.

Habitat

Large forest blocks, berry patches, wetlands and forest openings; food availability changes its range.

Where to look during the day

Morning

At dawn, look for tracks around berry patches, forest roads and wetland edges.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, bears may feed in quiet cover or rest, especially in hot weather.

Evening

At dusk, watch food-rich forest openings from a safe distance.

Sounds

Bears huff, snort, moan or bawl; cubs may make high-pitched sounds.

Huff

American black bear huff

A black bear huffs as it approaches the recorder.

Mary Krieger · Recording source

Natural history source: Read the source

Bag limits

Bag and possession summaries.

-A hunter may kill 2 black bears per year: one during the spring season and one in selected zones during the fall season.
-Spring season: one black bear in all hunting zones except zones 20 and 22.
-Fall season: one black bear in hunting zones 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 19, 23, 24, 26, the western portion of zone 27 and zone 29.

Official bag-limit source