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Author Topic: Are Bears predators?  (Read 3390 times)

Offline birddogdad

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Are Bears predators?
« on: August 20, 2014, 07:41:00 AM »
this was sent to me by a friend in Maine. I posted in another discussion but thought not many would see it there.
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Offline ghosthunter

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Re: Are Bears predators?
« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2014, 07:43:23 AM »
Yep

Around my area bears kill elk calves in the spring.
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Offline Hoythunter

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Re: Are Bears predators?
« Reply #2 on: August 20, 2014, 11:28:08 AM »
Yep, fawn and calf killing machines in the Spring.

Offline Mike450r

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Re: Are Bears predators?
« Reply #3 on: August 20, 2014, 11:40:31 AM »
I say at times but mainly no,  not a real predatory animal,  a very very opportunistic animal.  Being an omnivore they don't have to rely on killing but rather take it when it comes.   They will act predatory if need be but it is far from their sole nature.  Much different than a true carnivore.

Offline wafisherman

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Re: Are Bears predators?
« Reply #4 on: August 20, 2014, 11:49:52 AM »
A friend had a foal that bearly survived a bear attack the other day. 

Offline DOUBLELUNG

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Re: Are Bears predators?
« Reply #5 on: August 20, 2014, 12:06:04 PM »
Most of the year black bears are more vegetarian than carnivore, though it varies greatly by area depending on seasonal food resources.  It is indisputable that during the short period of the year when fawns and calves are vulnerable to bear predation, bears are highly carnivorous and extremely efficient at killing fawns and calves during the short time in May and June when they are bedded and unattended except for feedings.  Some studies have documented 50% of neonate ungulates being eaten by bears within the first two weeks after birth.     
As long as we have the habitat, we can argue forever about who gets to kill what and when.  No habitat = no game.

Offline irishevox

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Re: Are Bears predators?
« Reply #6 on: August 20, 2014, 12:22:29 PM »
not even sure why this is a question. 
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Offline Stein

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Re: Are Bears predators?
« Reply #7 on: August 20, 2014, 12:25:03 PM »
I believe they are the #1 predator of elk and deer newborns.  So, yes they are predators.

Offline mfswallace

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Re: Are Bears predators?
« Reply #8 on: August 20, 2014, 12:40:50 PM »
I believe they are the #1 predator of elk and deer newborns.  So, yes they are predators.

cougars and wolves would beg to differ  :chuckle:

Offline birddogdad

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Re: Are Bears predators?
« Reply #9 on: August 20, 2014, 12:49:41 PM »
not even sure why this is a question.

it was to get you to view this great photo!
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Offline irishevox

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Re: Are Bears predators?
« Reply #10 on: August 20, 2014, 01:37:04 PM »
o got ya nice pic
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Offline Stein

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Re: Are Bears predators?
« Reply #11 on: August 20, 2014, 01:57:02 PM »
I believe they are the #1 predator of elk and deer newborns.  So, yes they are predators.

cougars and wolves would beg to differ  :chuckle:

In MT, bears eat more elk calves than cougars and coyotes combined.  The study I read was pre-wolf I believe.

https://www.wildlifemanagementinstitute.org/PDF/13-CauseSpecific%20Mortality%20of....pdf

Offline gomerbull

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Re: Are Bears predators?
« Reply #12 on: August 22, 2014, 07:29:53 AM »
not even sure why this is a question.
:yeah:

Offline birddogdad

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Re: Are Bears predators?
« Reply #13 on: August 22, 2014, 10:32:55 AM »
not even sure why this is a question.
:yeah:

i can connect the dots for ya... this IS the photo/video section of the site... do you need more to understand?
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Offline Blacktail Sniper

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Re: Are Bears predators?
« Reply #14 on: August 22, 2014, 10:43:21 AM »
not even sure why this is a question.
:yeah:

i can connect the dots for ya... this IS the photo/video section of the site... do you need more to understand?

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhetorical_question
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Offline Jonathan_S

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Re: Are Bears predators?
« Reply #15 on: August 22, 2014, 10:52:32 AM »
I believe they are the #1 predator of elk and deer newborns.  So, yes they are predators.

cougars and wolves would beg to differ  :chuckle:

Bears kill probably 300x as many fawns in this state as wolves do and there are a lot more bears than cougars.  My opinion.
Kindly do not attempt to cloud the issue with too many facts.

Offline runamuk

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Re: Are Bears predators?
« Reply #16 on: August 22, 2014, 11:10:17 AM »
not even sure why this is a question.
because lots of people have very little understanding of how the term predator applies and they equate it to the idea of an obligate carnivore.  That is not the case.  A predator is anything that hunts and kills its prey and omnivores can be very predatory.  Bears wreak havoc on fawns and calves just because they target small and weak prey does not change their predatory nature.  Ferrets for example are strict carnivores yet many might not consider them predators because they dont take down many elk, only mice or gerbils.

So yes bears are predators but they are also very much like humans and will take whatever meal they can get easiest I am convinced if bears could drive they would be seen regularly at fast food joints. :)

Offline buckcanyonlodge

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Re: Are Bears predators?
« Reply #17 on: August 22, 2014, 11:12:51 AM »


Are Bears predators?

Does a bear sh*t in the woods?
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Offline NW-GSP

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Re: Are Bears predators?
« Reply #18 on: August 22, 2014, 11:29:04 AM »
I thought their diet mainly consisted of bells and pepper spray.

Offline KFhunter

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Re: Are Bears predators?
« Reply #19 on: August 22, 2014, 10:40:18 PM »
Nothing kills more fawns/calves on the ground than a bear does.  Bears that learned this behavior with territory in a calving ground or fawning areas have a single minded focus to find the calves and are very successful at it. 

Coyotes do this as well,  but also get chased off. 

Wolves will go for the wet cows and run the whole freaking herd out of the calving grounds leaving all the calves to be half starved bear food. When a calf gets up out of it's hidey hole driven by hunger and calling for momma....well it don't live long.


cougar take a *lot* of yearlings


 


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