Black Bear Habitat Use at Priest Lake, Idaho

We studied black bear (Ursus americanus) habitat use patterns in northern Idaho from June 1980 to November 1981. Habitat availability was estimated with a random-dot technique and habitat use was determined from 676 radiolocations of 9 adult bears (5 female, 4 male). Black bears preferred selectively logged areas during spring, summer, and fall; clearcuts were avoided during all seasons. Habitat selection differed significantly between sexes. Female black bears preferred timber habitats and avoided roads; males used timber and roads in proportion to their availability. Int. Conf. Bear Res. and Manage. 6:73-80 Black bear distribution in Idaho coincides with that of the coniferous forests (Beecham 1983). Little habitat use information is available for the geographically discrete black bear populations that inhabit these forests. Current silvicultural practices do not consider the potential impacts on black bear habitat and populations. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game initiated a black bear habitat study at Priest Lake in 1980. The primary objective was to document seasonal habitat use emphasizing black bear-logging relationships. This paper summarizes our findings pertaining to these relationships. This project was funded by Idaho Fed. Aid in Wildl. Restor. Proj. W-160-R and the Natl. Rifle Assoc. We thank C. Jonkel, L. Marcum, and B. 0'Gara of the Univ. of Mont. for their advice. We thank K. Ablin, W. Greenberg, and J. Rohlman for field assistance, and Idaho Dep. of Lands personnel for their cooperation.