Does anyone know how a high Black Bear population effects QDM?

Some insight would be great!!

Thanks in advance!

Sandman

Any info that I could find has Black Bears eating very few live large mammals. They may take the odd live fawn but prefer carrion. They do share the same diet when it comes to mast crops so their net effect should be to slightly lower deer poulations. There should be no reason that they would select a male over a female fawn.


" Black bears are omnivorous and will eat almost anything available. Most of their food is vegetation, especially in the late summer and autumn when berries and nuts are available. Favourite fruits include blueberries, buffalo berries, strawberries, elderberries, saskatoons, black cherries, and apples. Acorns, hazelnuts, and beechnuts are other preferred foods. Insects such as ants and grasshoppers rate high, and black bears will overturn logs, old stumps, and stones while foraging.

Fish, small mammals, and occasionally birds are also on the black bear' s menu. In the spring some bears may prey upon newborn moose calves, deer fawns, caribou calves, or elk calves. Carrion of any sort is highly prized and its attractiveness to a bear increases with its degree of decomposition. Of course a tree containing honey is always a treat. Bears drink frequently and are usually found in the vicinity of water. "

http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/hww-fap/blbear/blbear.html

Dan O.