Black bear ecology and the use of prescribed fire to enhance bear habitat

The black bear (Ursus americanus) is a species of interest for wildlife and forest managers, landowners, hunters, and the public. Because of their overall adaptability to changing habitat conditions, wide-ranging nature, and omnivorous habits, black bears are readily accommodated in a forest management program. A well-managed forest that provides adequate opportunities for movements, foraging, denning, and cover has better potential to satisfy the needs of bears than an unmanaged forest. Food supplies should be abundant, stable, and diverse. Habitats that harbor natural dens should be conserved, known den sites should be protected, and creation of potential den habitat and den sites should be considered in forest habitat treatments. In addition, natural escape cover should be maintained, and opportunities should be undertaken to create or enhance cover for bedding, escape, and dispersal. Although bear habitat management has traditionally been associated with timber management, the use of prescribed fire holds promise as an effective tool for enhancement of black bear habitat in the central hardwood landscape. In this paper, various aspects of black bear habitat ecology are reviewed, and the use of prescribed fire alone or in conjunction with other silvicultural techniques to maintain, enhance, and restore habitat conditions for black bears is explored. Evaluation of prescribed fire behavior and activity, habitat responses to fire under various conditions, and associated implications for bears could be useful in developing "best fire management practices" in bear habitat. Prescribed fire should be used in an adaptive management approach. This entails not only the application of fire, but also the diligent monitoring of habitat and wildlife responses, and fine-tuning future actions. Topics of investigation concerning bears and fire are listed. Public education programs conveying the ecological effects and benefits of prescribed fire for habitat, wildlife, and humans, and the development of public/private partnerships for habitat management are recommended.