M. S.

A black bear habitat requirements study was performed in Dare County, North Carolina from March, 1973 through February, 1974. Four adult male bears were radio-collared and their movements monitored. Two removed their collars within 2 weeks of release, while another's collar malfunctioned. Thirty-three locations yielded an estimated range of 17,500 ha for the remaining instrumented animal. A 56 km track census route was established and run 35 times. This resulted in 67 bear track sets, a mean of 1.91 tracks/census run. Forty scats were collected from census roads. Sixteen off-census scats were collected for food habits determination. Principal foods identified in scats were: (Spring) ants, leaves, greenbrier berries, (Summer) blueberries, switch cane, ants, (Fall) black gum berries, (Winter) greenbrier and gallberries. Movement results suggested that bears preferred areas of diverse habitat types near relatively extensive roadless areas. Apparent order of cover type preference was: forested areas, older burns, more recent burns and clearcuts. No correlation was discovered between understory plant species and overstory trees. Estimated study area bear numbers were 25-35 individuals of which 13-20 were adult males, 4-8 were adult females and 5-9 were juveniles. Thirty bears would yield a population density of 1 bear/ 1,600 ha. The population imbalance probably resulted from selective mortality engendered by excessive dog hunting. Very little evidence of reproductive attainment was noted. Reduced bear sign was recorded during winter months. Telemetry results also suggested a period of winter dormancy for Dare bears. / M.S.