Are Bears predators?

[birddogdad]

this was sent to me by a friend in Maine. I posted in another discussion but thought not many would see it there.

[ghosthunter]

Yep

Around my area bears kill elk calves in the spring.

[Hoythunter]

Yep, fawn and calf killing machines in the Spring.

[Mike450r]

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.

[wafisherman]

A friend had a foal that bearly survived a bear attack the other day. 

[DOUBLELUNG]

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.     

[irishevox]

not even sure why this is a question. 

[Stein]

I believe they are the #1 predator of elk and deer newborns.  So, yes they are predators.

[mfswallace]

I believe they are the #1 predator of elk and deer newborns.  So, yes they are predators.

cougars and wolves would beg to differ 

[birddogdad]

not even sure why this is a question.

it was to get you to view this great photo!

[irishevox]

o got ya nice pic

[Stein]

I believe they are the #1 predator of elk and deer newborns.  So, yes they are predators.

cougars and wolves would beg to differ 

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

[gomerbull]

not even sure why this is a question.

[birddogdad]

not even sure why this is a question.

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

[Blacktail Sniper]

not even sure why this is a question.

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

[Jonathan_S]

I believe they are the #1 predator of elk and deer newborns.  So, yes they are predators.

cougars and wolves would beg to differ 

Bears kill probably 300x as many fawns in this state as wolves do and there are a lot more bears than cougars.  My opinion.

[runamuk]

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.

[buckcanyonlodge]

Are Bears predators?

Does a bear sh*t in the woods?

[NW-GSP]

I thought their diet mainly consisted of bells and pepper spray.

[KFhunter]

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