Black bear feeding on second growth redwoods: A critical assessment

Black bear (Ursus americanus) feeding on coastal redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) has been documented for several years. Quantitative analysis of the feeding damage has not been done. Feeding damage was analyzed on six belt transects in two drainages of the Smith River, Del Norte County, California. Bears are selecting trees of specific d.b.h. classes and not feeding on the size class most abundant. Damage estimates are presented for number of trees per hectare and percentage of stands that are impacted by bear feeding. A proposed approach to bear management is presented with emphasis on a multi-management approach