Movements of Black Bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Garshelis, David; Pelton, Michael

Twenty-nine bears were monitored by the use of radiocollars for 1 1/2 years, each bear established a home range, changing its activity within the range with the seasons. Some overlapping with the ranges of others was common, but mutual avoidance was usual. Males had larger ranges than females. Movements of 29 radio-collared black bears (Ursus americanus) were monitored between July 1976 and December 1977 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Eighty-three percent of the observed home ranges were characterized by abrupt seasonal changes in use, especially between summer and fall. The timing and extent of seasonal shifts in the home ranges were influenced by sex, age, kinship, and phenological variations between years and among sections of the study area. During good mast years, the fall home ranges of many males overlapped considerably in an area containing an abundance of oaks. During poor mast years, social intolerance may have forced many subadult males outside the Park boundaries in search of food, increasing their vulnerability to hunting and poaching. Females occupied fall feeding areas not used by males; oaks were less abundant in these areas. Home range sizes (95% confidence ellipses) averaged 42 km2 for adult males and 15 km2 for adult females. Home range overlap was considerable throughout the year, but mutual avoidance was noted.

Movements of Black Bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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