Black Bear Activity and Visitation Patterns at Human Food Sources in Utah

Bear activity and behaviors in areas of human use or proximity require research because of significant and potentially dangerous conflicts between humans and bears. Previous studies in areas of the country outside of Utah determined that black bears (Ursus americanus) tend to exhibit diurnal or crepuscular activity patterns. Activity patterns, however, may be influenced by humans, especially in urbanized landscapes or in areas such as campgrounds where anthropogenic food resources are available. Our study objectives were to determine bear activity schedules and changes in visitation patterns to regularly supplied anthropogenic food sites in the La Sal Mountains of southeastern Utah. Using remote camera stations, we determined that bear visitation was primarily crepuscular and nocturnal (76.3% of visits), and bears did not visit freshly provisioned sites more quickly or more frequently through time. Although bear activity is different by region, provisioning food may not alter bear activity at supplemental feeding sites