1 Preface This plan represents the Department’s goals, objectives, and management strategies for the management of black bears in Alberta. It will periodically be reviewed and updated as necessary. Implementation will be subject to priorities established during the budgeting process. This plan includes historical information up to the fall of 2012. Note: for the purposes of this publication, except where specifically noted, information is presented in a format that corresponds to calendar years. ISBN No. 978-1-4601-1929-7 (PDF) Copies of this report are available from the Alberta Environment and Parks website: aep.alberta.ca Management Plan for Black Bears in Alberta 2 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................. 4 1.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 6 2.0. Background ..................................................................................................................... 7 2.1 Biology .................................................................................................................................................................. 7 2.1.1 Habitat .......................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.1.1.1 Home range characteristics............................................................................................................................ 7 2.1.1.3 Movements ............................................................................................................................................... 8 2.1.1.4 Habitat Use within Home Ranges .............................................................................................................. 9 2.1.1.5 Denning ................................................................................................................................................... 10 2.1.2 Population Dynamics .................................................................................................................................. 12 2.1.2.1 Reproduction ........................................................................................................................................... 12 2.1.2.2 Mortality and Survival ............................................................................................................................. 14 2.1.2.3 Dispersal and Source-Sink Dynamics ....................................................................................................... 15 2.1.3 Food Habits................................................................................................................................................. 16 2.2 Historic and Current Status in Alberta ............................................................................................................... 18 2.2.1 Numbers and Distribution .......................................................................................................................... 18 2.2.2 Hunting ........................................................................................................................................................... 20 2.2.2.1 Hunting regulations ................................................................................................................................. 20 Harvest Distribution .............................................................................................................. 27 Sex Ratio of the Harvest ........................................................................................................ 29 2.2.4 Relationships with other Wildlife ............................................................................................................... 31 2.2.5 Commercial Use Management ................................................................................................................ 32 2.2.7 Data Collection Guidelines ........................................................................................................................ 33 2.2.8 Economic Aspects ...................................................................................................................................... 34 2.3 Human-Black Bear Conflict ................................................................................................................................. 34 2.3.1 Public Views on Black Bears ....................................................................................................................... 34 2.3.2 The Root Causes of Conflict ........................................................................................................................ 36 2.3.3 Methods to Reduce Conflict and Increase Tolerance ................................................................................. 38 Responsive Management ......................................................................................................................................... 39 Preventative Management ...................................................................................................................................... 41 2.3.4 Human – Black Bear Conflicts in Alberta ................................................................................................. 43 2.4 Summary and Management Challenges ........................................................................................................... 48 3.0 Management Plan ........................................................................................................... 49 Management Plan for Black Bears in Alberta 3 3.1 Policy Framework ............................................................................................................................................... 49 3.1.1 Resource Protection ........................................................................................................................... 49 3.1.2 Resource Allocation ............................................................................................................................ 49 3.1.3 Recreational Use ................................................................................................................................. 50 3.1.4 Commercial Use .................................................................................................................................. 50 3.1.5 Protection of Private Property ............................................................................................................ 50 3.2 Management Plan Goals and Objectives .......................................................................................................... 50 3.2.1 Resource Protection and Population Management .................................................................................. 50 3.2.2 Resource Allocation ............................................................................................................................ 51 3.2.5 Protection of Life and Property .......................................................................................................... 51 3.2.6 Science and Education ........................................................................................................................ 51 3.3 Management Strategies .................................................................................................................................... 52 3.3.1 Resource Protection ........................................................................................................................... 52 3.3.2 Data Collection ................................................................................................................................... 52 3.3.3 Resource Allocation and Recreational Use .............................................................................................. 53 3.3.4 Managing Commercial Use ..................................................................................................................... 56 3.3.5 Managing Black Bear – Prey Relationships ......................................................................................... 57 3.3.6 Managing Non-consumptive Use ....................................................................................................... 57 3.3.7 Managing Non- Hunting Mortality ..................................................................................................... 58 3.3.8 Protection of Private Property ............................................................................................................ 58 3.3.9 Managing Scientific and Educational Use ........................................................................................... 59 4.0 MANAGEMENT PLAN APPLICATION ................................................................................. 60 4.1 PROVINCIAL SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................................... 61 4.2 REGIONAL PERSPECTIVES ................................................................................................................................... 61 4.2.1 Mountains and Foothills ............................................................................................................................. 61 4.2.2 Prairies