Summer ranges, cover-type use, and denning of Black Bears near Fort McMurray, Alberta

Abstract

Radiocollared Black Bears (Urs11s0111erica11us) were studied near Fort McM urray, Alberta. duringJ une-October 1976. Four females without cubs occupied areas averaging 7.5 km 2. During summer and fall, stands of spruce (Picea spp.) and open muskegs were used less often than predicted from random sampling, whereas mixed aspen (Populus 1re111uloides) and Jack Pine (Pi1111s ba11ksia11a) were used more often. Six radiocollared bears denned between 19 September and 29 October. Five dens were excavated on level ground; four were in stands(< 15 cm DBH) of mixed aspen and birch (Benda pap y r(fera) and had likely been dug in previous years.