Black Bears

Berries, Berries and Bears

Posted: by dryan

Bears lose 30% to 40% of their body weight while hibernating. It’s important that they regain this weight before returning to the den in late fall. Mountain grizzlies and black bears rely on plants for a large part of their diet and it is during berry season that much of this weight gain is accomplished.

During spring and summer bears replenish their levels of protein, but it’s during late summer and fall that large doses of carbohydrates supply the weight gain necessary for winter survival.


The US Dept of Agriculture has analyzed the nutritional value of many foods. You can view this data at their site the Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. A quick look tells why berries are an excellent source of carbohydrates and why a good berry crop during the fall is so important to the bears. The following data for a few select foods is based on 100 grams of raw material.

• Spinach, a representative green leafy food, contains 23 kCal of energy, 2.86 grams of protein, .39 grams of fat and 3.63 grams of carbohydrates.

• Blueberries, more than twice the energy value and almost four times the carbohydrate level, contains 57 kCal of energy, .74 grams of protein, .33 grams of fat and 14.49 grams of carbohydrates.

• Insects, represent a significant protein source in the summer, contain 20.6 grams of protein, 6.1 grams of fat and 3.9 grams of carbohydrates.

• Salmon makes up a large portion of the Alaskan Brown Bear’s diet. Winter killed deer and elk are important protein sources when bears first emerge from the den. Salmon and venison, almost equal in nutritional value, contains 157 kCal of energy, 21.8 grams of protein, 7.13 grams of fat and 0 grams of carbohydrates. Just about what you get from an insect!

Notice that the food available in the wild does not contain high levels of fat. Fat is generated by the bears from consuming large amounts of carbohydrates.

Additionally, blueberries are rich in Vitamins A, C, E and beta-carotene as well as rich in the minerals potassium, manganese and magnesium. They are very high in fiber and low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. But this is just the tip of the nutritional iceberg, for recent studies tell us that of all fresh fruits and vegetables, berries provide the most health-protecting antioxidants, those valuable elements which prevent cancer-causing cell damage and may limit the changes wrought by age related diseases.

Are you “On Track”?

Posted: by dryan

One of the best ways to tell the difference between a grizzly and a black bear is to analyze a track. Grizzly tracks denote long claws and have a flat pad. The pad of a black bear is predominately curved. Detailed track ID tips can be found at the GBOP website.


These photos of a grizzly track were taken by Scott Fisher, Washington DNR, in the Pend Oreille area of eastern Washington. The first photo is a front track and the second photo is a rear track.



This photo of a black bear track was taken near Loup Loup Pass in Okanogan County.


Alas, a good track is not what you always get. Many times it is a partial track or the features of the track are distorted by the terrain. To be so heavy, bears can tread very lightly.

The above photo was sent to us as a possible grizzly track. It was passed around and the responses were quite interesting. No supporting information other than the photo was given to those responding. Judge for yourself:

“It strikes me as a black bear that is turning to its left dragging claw marks in the mud. I think I see the same holes just ahead of the toe pads that may have been the claw marks when the foot was first planted. Those marks appear to be only about 0.75 inch out from the toe. The pad width appears to be no more than 4 inches and this would suggest, if grizzly, a bear that is 2 years old or less and at least somewhat likely to be accompanied by a mother or siblings. All considered, it appears to be a black bear.” – US Fish and Wildlife Service

“Definitely a challenge. Tough to say where the bottom of the outside toe starts, which affects the line test. Also, I’m thinking the three longer claw marks may be a result of those claws being dragged, rather than the actual claw impressions. If so, then the actual claw marks are more consistent with black bear.” – Washington Dept Fish & Wildlife

“It suggests a black bear walking in slickey muck. The overall arc of the paw & toes supports this, as does the line test (allowing for slippage & sometimes toes aren’t all over or all under the line). The claws most likely show up because it’s in oozy goo, and the bear dragged its foot a little as it walked on. One can see the results of that on all 5 toes.” – National Park Service

“Tracking is something I can talk about, as a life-long tracker, and I agree that it is a black bear. The track has a counter-clockwise rotational torque on the foot caused by a slick surface.” – US Fish and Wildlife Service

To properly analyze a track many experts will carefully photo the track, then draw a picture and carefully measure all dimensions of the track. For a permanent record, a plaster casting can be made.

Governor proclaims official Bear Awareness Week

Posted: by dryan

May 12-18 devoted to increasing awareness about the black and grizzly bears of Washington

As bears begin to emerge from winter sleep, they can be assured that Washington residents are going to be a little more informed about them this year, thanks to a new official Bear Awareness Week proclamation signed by Governor Christine Gregoire.

“Black bears and grizzly bears face very different problems here in Washington”, says Chris Morgan, ecologist and director of the Grizzly Bear Outreach Project, the organization at the center of Bear Awareness Week activities. “As more and more people move into black bear habitat, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for these adaptable creatures to ignore temptations”. Temptations such as human garbage, bird seed, and fruit trees. “But for the super-rare grizzly bear it is a more grave concern – avoiding extinction”, he added.

Governor Gregoire established Bear Awareness Week to encourage people to learn more about our ursine neighbors, how to avoid conflicts with them, and to appreciate these majestic creatures in Washington – one of just four states that is wild enough to still support both species of bear.

Although there are some 25,000 black bears in Washington, fewer than 30 grizzly bears remain in the North Cacades and Selkirk Mountains. Biologists believe there may be as few as 10 individual grizzly bears in the Cascades, a ten-thousand square mile ecosystem that was designated as a grizzly bear recovery zone by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee in 1991.

Morgan and his team of local outreach staff work across the North Cascades to bring information about grizzly and black bears to people – especially those living in bear country. Dennis Ryan, GBOP’s field person in Okanogan County commented, “We were delighted when the Governor agreed to establish Bear Awareness Week. GBOP is all about distributing accurate, helpful facts about bears as broadly as possible, and this definitely helps”.

Although several grizzly bear sightings are reported each year, verification can be difficult given the elusive nature of the species. Black bears on the other hand have already been showing up in some unusual places this year. “Both Renton and Puyallup have had black bears in town, usually young bears that are still trying to establish a home range”, says Morgan, adding that there are many simple steps people can take to keep bears in the woods and out of harm’s way. For example, hanging bird feeders high, storing garbage where bears can’t get at it and putting it out as close to pick-up time as possible.

Still, serious bear conflicts are rare, and research conducted by the Grizzly Bear Outreach Project shows wide public support for grizzly bear conservation. For the US Fish and Wildlife Service, grizzly bear recovery in Washington will largely depend upon an engaged public that can base opinions on facts rather than on myths about these creatures. “It’s gratifying to see that people want to know more about grizzly bears, and generally support efforts to conserve them,” said Doug Zimmer from the Fish and Wildlife Service in Olympia.

Other outreach project supporters include, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Conservation Northwest, and Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. Lisa Dabek, Director of Field Conservation at Woodland Park Zoo witnesses the popularity of bears on a regular basis. “They are one of our most popular animals here at the zoo – very charismatic ambassadors for northwest ecosystems”.

“For many”, says Chris Morgan, “that is the true essence of the bear – the spirit of the northwest”.

The Grizzly Bear Outreach Project and partners will be celebrating Bear Awareness Week with several events, listed below.

GBOP Bear Awareness Week Activities, May 12-18

Nan Laney supports the northwest side of the North Cascades 360.856.5076, nlaney@fidalgo.net:

Tuesday, May 13, 7pm – presentation at Backcountry Essentials in Bellingham. The presentation will focus on the North Cascades grizzly bear – a species on the knife-edge of extinction in our own backyard.

Saturday, May 17, 6pm – dinner and presentation in Concrete with special guest Anne Braaten, Wildlife Biologist for North Cascades National Park, who will be sharing her experiences and knowledge regarding the bear shepherding techniques pioneered by Carrie Hunt of Wind River Bear Institute. GBOP’s Nan Laney will share additional information about being Bear Smart, and ways that rural residents and backcountry recreationists can prevent the human-food-conditioning of our resident black bears.

Dennis Ryan supports the northeast side of the North Cascades 509.923.2464, dryan@methow.com:

Tuesday, May 13 – presentation to the Omak teachers and students at the wilderness retreat at Camp Disautel. This retreat has been held for over 50 years. This will mark the third year of GBOP’s involvement.

Saturday, May 17, 9am until 3pm – ‘Bear Awareness Day’ will be sponsored by GBOP and hosted at the North Cascades Basecamp in Mazama. Join us for a day long look at bears of the North Cascades including their biology, habitat and behavior. Learn to use a remote camera, look for bear sign and be bear safe. Get an update on the status of grizzly bear recovery in the North Cascades.

Julie L. (Hayes) Hopkins supports the I-90 corridor 425.223.7648,jlhayes.biologist@yahoo.com:

Tuesday, May 13 – “Living with Bears” presentation at Cle Elum Middle School for the Environmental Science classes.

Thursday, May 15 – “Grizzly Bear Recovery” presentation at Evergreen College for the Protected Areas Class. Friday, May 16th, 7pm – information table at the ‘Groovin’ for Grizzlies’ celebration, 7pm at Boundary Bay Brewery in Bellingham, sponsored by Conservation NW. This is a family event.

Wendy Gardner 206.947.2374, wendy.gardner@zoo.org:

Wednesday, May 14 – an information table will be set up at the Woodland Park Zoo from 10am until 2pm.

Thursday, May 15 – an information table will be set up at the Greenwood Library from 1pm until 4pm.

Background Information:

• The Grizzly Bear Outreach Project (GBOP) is a non-advocacy information and education program with support from 18 government and non-government organizations: US Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Seattle City Light, Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act, Woodland Park Zoo, Conservation Northwest, Seattle, USDA Forest Service, Defenders of Wildlife, Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, REI, National Park Service, WILDTIME Foods Grizzlies Brand, Grizzly Industrial, Canopy, Counter Assault, Living with Wildlife Foundation, Sanitary Service Company, Foothills Gazette.

• GBOP’s mission is to ‘Promote an accurate understanding of grizzly bears and their recovery in the North Cascades though community education and involvement’.

Governor Gregoire declares week of May 12 – 18 ‘Bear Awareness Week’

Posted: by dryan

On February 28, 2008 Governor Christine Gregoire proclaimed May 12-18, 2008, as ‘Bear Awareness Week’ in Washington State, and urged all citizens to join in this special observance.

The proclamation stressed the following points:

• Washington’s wildlife and wild places are a core part of life in this beautiful state;

• Washington’s forests and coastlines harbor one of the largest populations of black bears in the United States, and Washington is one of only five lower 48 states that is still wild enough to harbor a small number of grizzly bears, a federally-protected threatened species, both in the North Cascades and Selkirk Mountains;

• It is in the public interest to understand the ecology, behavior, and conservation of bears, and there is an ongoing need for widespread education and outreach concerning their welfare to enable peaceful coexistence with people who live or spend time in bear country;

• The Grizzly Bear Outreach Project, in partnership with multiple government and non-government organizations, is committed to providing accurate information about bears through innovative programs that engage the public;

• There are many ecological, economic, and spiritual benefits to promoting bears as a desirable part of our state’s natural heritage;

• The people of Washington State take great pride in their state’s wildlife legacy that is internationally significant.

Special events to celebrate Bear Awareness Week and provide educational opportunities about the bears of Washington are being planned. Stay tuned to this BLOG for further details.

photo credit: Wayne Lynch

Wendy goes to Mexico and what a trip

Posted: by wgardner

I was fortunate to be able to attend the 18th International Association of Bear Research and Management (IBA) conference Nov 4-11 in Monterrey Mexico. The IBA is a non-profit organization open to professional biologists, wildlife managers and others dedicated to the conservation of all bear species. (www.bearbiology.com).

There were 268 people from 26 different countries at the conference making for a truly international experience. In all, 54 oral presentations were given along with 87 poster presentations. These ranged from bear research and conservation, bear nutrition, population estimates to human –bear interactions and conflicts. I attended all 54 talks, participated in a bear management workshop, attended two genetic workshops and the bear specialist group meeting. I also presented a poster on Bear Affair, a collaborative event with the Grizzly Bear Outreach Project and the Woodland Park Zoo.

All of the presentations were interesting but one that really impressed me was presented by Jon Swenson titled: “Pragmatic Management Can Conserve Low Productive High-Altitude Brown Bears in South Asia”. In 1993 the Deosai Plateau was declared a national park in order to try and protect the highly threatened brown bears in Pakistan whose numbers were declining. The local people rely on the natural resources in the park but legislation prohibited them from taking anything from the park which caused conflicts between the local people and park management. To help alleviate these conflicts a new approach was taken that involved the local people in park management and recognized their community rights. The number of bears in the park was monitored between 1993 and 2006 and in that time they saw an increase in the population of 5% each year (this was from reproduction and immigration). This is really impressive when you learn that the bears in Deosai have really low reproductive rates. The average age of first reproduction is 8.25 years, the reproduction interval is 5.8 years, litter size is 1.33 and the family stays together for 4.2 years (longest time recorded for brown bears). The survival rate of offspring is higher in Deosai as well (0.94 for cubs, 0.96 for yearlings). These results show that when communities and management work together they can make positive changes.

My poster was on Bear Affair, an annual event put on at the Woodland Park Zoo. The day starts off with a bear “un-safe” campsite being set up in the brown bear (Ursus arctos) exhibit. We put out a tent, sleeping bags, coolers, shoes, table and chairs, backpacks and a campfire pit. Food is placed either in or on all of these camping items. Dry food bags are hung up in a tree but are not put up high enough. All of this is done to show how not to set up a campsite in bear country. In the afternoon we give the bears bear resistant food containers (BRFC) and talk about why they are important to use when camping and /or hiking in bear country.

It was a very busy week filled with a lot of learning and sharing of
information with new and old friends. There were also the adventurous taxi and bus rides through the city, the likes I have not experienced before, but it made for many a laugh with the people I shared this experience with. What a wonderful way for a bear lover to spend a week!

“Pragmatic Management Can Conserve Low Productive High-Altitude Brown Bears In South Asia”. Muhammad Ali Nawaz (Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences); Jon Swenson (Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences); Vaqar Zakaria (Himalayan Wildlife Foundation, Islamabad, Pakistan).

Submitted by Wendy Gardner

Supplemental Bear Feeding Program

Posted: by cmorgan

Each spring black bears emerge from their dens hungry and with little available sources of food. During this time, as young conifers approach their annual spring bud burst, there is a high concentration of sapwood moving up the tree just inside the bark. This sapwood is rich in carbohydrates and can be a very attractive food source for hungry bears. The bears rip off the bark to eat the sapwood and in the process they often girdle and kill the trees. Bears can girdle up to 50-70 trees a day, and this loss can create a significant economic impact for forest landowners. By late June or early July there are plenty of natural foods for bears to eat, and generally damage to the young timber ends about this time.

Last month I attended a presentation by Georg Ziegltrum of the Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA) at the Department of Natural Resources monthly breakfast meeting. Georg’s presentation was primarily about WFPA’s Black Bear Supplemental Bear Feeding Program, although he also talked about other components of the WFPA’s Animal Damage Control Program, including lethal control efforts.

In 1985 WFPA began the Black Bear Supplemental Feeding Program. In 2006, the Program used a total of 465,700 pounds of bear pellets at 860 feeding stations in Western Washington in an effort to reduce spring black bear damage to young private timberlands. The Black Bear Supplemental Feeding Program feeds black bears at special feeding stations for about 2 ½ months each year to provide a food source during the spring when food sources are limited. Young even-aged stands between 15 and 30 years of age are the most vulnerable to bear damage, and the supplemental feeding program has helped to reduce this damage.

However the Black Bear Supplemental Feeding Program does not prevent all damage to young timber stands. This program is used along with lethal control, in areas with heavy damage, to limit impacts to private forestlands. In 2006, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), in cooperation with WFPA’s Animal Damage Control Program, issued about 190 depredation permits for black bears in areas where there was heavy timber damage on private forestland. Most of the bears are removed by hound hunters, although foot snares and bait are also occasionally used with depredation permits.

Website links of interest:

Washington Forest Protection Association’s (WFPA) Animal Damage Control Program 2006 Annual Report

A 2-page summary of the Black Bear Supplemental Feeding Program

Efficacy of the Black Bear Supplemental Feeding Program in Western WA

Nan Laney
Skagit and Whatcom Coordinator, GBOP

Hunter Orange Bear Scat! What’s going down?

Posted: by dryan


Surprisingly, this bear scat is bright ‘hunter orange’. The question is “How did it get to be that color?”. Deer season has just ended and there were a lot of hunters cruising the woods. Is there a hunter missing in action?

Closer inspection indicates that this scat is loaded with rose hips. Apparently this bear wanted a full dose of vitamin C before going into the winter den. It has already snowed in the mountains of eastern Washington and has been in the lower 20’s at night. We can expect the bears to be settling into their dens any day now.

With luck this bear has put on a lot of weight and will enjoy the winter nap. Bears in other parts of the west have not been so lucky this year. Late freezes, drought and tree infestations in the Rocky Mountain West have diminished the sources of natural food from bugs to berries that the bears eat. Recently they have been hunting for food in all the wrong places, from backcountry campgrounds to suburban kitchens.

In Colorado, bears have burst through the front doors of homes, sauntered into stores and broken into cars. Officials say the number of bears killed by state wildlife officers this year has topped a new record.

Wildlife officers in northwest Wyoming, where luxury housing is crowding into prime bear habitat, are fielding 100 calls a week about bears feasting in fruit trees and snoozing on front lawns. Game wardens have killed twice as many bears this season as they kill in an average year.

In Montana, hungry bears have plowed through dumpsters and grabbed garbage from garages, a pattern Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Captain Sam Sheppard says is unusual for its scope, duration and intensity.

In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where a bear recently lumbered through the open door of a daycare center, officials have plastered neighborhoods with signs urging residents to harvest fruit, remove birdfeeders and “bear-proof” their garbage.

Wildlife officers across Western states have renewed campaigns to stem bear conflicts by retraining humans. Its very important that food and garbage not be left outside in such a way that will attract bears. Keep in mind that next spring, when the bears wake up and sally forth, they will have lost 30% to 40% of their body weight and will be looking for food once again. If you live in bear country please bear proof your home.

We bears thank you.

extracts from a story by Laura Zuckerman, REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
photo credit Dennis Ryan

Giving Voice to Bear

Posted: by dryan

The role of the bear has always been prominent in American Indian initiation and healing ceremonies, in shamanic rites, in the quest for guardian spirits, and in many dances.


This photo is of a Bear Ceremony by northern Paiute people taken in 1967 at Jamestown, California.

All across North America, Indians have honored bears. When hunting tribes killed one, they spoke to its spirit asking it for forgiveness. They treated the carcass reverently. Among these tribes the ritual for a slain bear was more elaborate than that for any other animal. Bears were both feared and respected. They were famous for their fierce maternal devotion. They ate many of the same foods as the Native Americans. Because the Indian identified with the bear in many ways, they imitated it in their rituals.

Archival slide courtesy of: Adan E. Treganza Anthropology Museum, Dept of Anthropology San Francisco State University. Reference: “Giving Voice To Bear” by David Rockwell, Roberts Rinehart 1991.

Wild Bee Swarm

Posted: by dryan


We all know that bears like honey. Winnie the Pooh was addicted to the stuff. Bears get their honey from wild bee hives or by raiding a bee keepers’ hive. Bee keepers can protect their hives from bears by surrounding them with electric fencing.

Wild bees live in hollow trees. From time to time the hive will develop a new queen bee which will then take about half of the hive with her when she decides to relocate, leaving the others behind. She takes off in search of a new home and the bees follow her. When she stops the hive swarms around the queen to protect her. It can be a disconcerting sight to see a swarm of bees making a beeline for a new place to live! The above photo was taken at a camp site in Pearrygin Lake State Park near Winthrop in the Methow Valley. Fortunately no bears were following this swarm. Normally honey bees are somewhat docile when they swarm, but the best action is to remain cautious and stay away from them. 

A local bee keeper with the proper safety equipment was called in by the park ranger to remove the hive. He placed a box below the swarm and shook the tree causing the queen to fall onto the top of the box. All the other bees followed her into the box. The bees had a new home and the keeper got a new hive.

6th Graders, Bears and Camp

Posted: by dryan


What do these three things have in common? Why Camp ‘D’ of course. For over 50 years the sixth grade class at Omak middle school has spent a week at Camp Disautel in the forests of the Colville Reservation. For the first time the 6th graders at the Paschal Sherman Indian School attended the camp.


It’s not all fun and games. They spend a lot of time attending seminars to learn about stewardship of the environment. Issues explored include water conservation, soil management, wilderness safety and survival skills, creating a ‘Leave No Trace’ camp and ‘yuk’- noxious weeds. Last but not least they learn about bears of the North Cascade Ecosystem.

Bears use to be common visitors at the camp before attention was placed on removing garbage daily. There were some pretty exciting moments when bears walked thru the camp to raid the lunch leftovers.


Virginia Hammer involved all the kids in a skit to show how ‘not’ to set up a camp in the woods. She is a back country ranger for the Okanogan National Forrest. One student dressed as a bear and raided the campsite at night. The campers wished they had not left food in their tent.

Many past 6th graders who are now adults remember Camp ‘D’ as one of the highlights of their school experiences. Many thanks to Randy Langseth and the other teachers for inviting GBOP to this year’s camp.