Black Bear, Ursus americanus, movements and home ranges on Drummond Island, Michigan

We studied the movement patterns of 28 radio-collared Black Bears on Drummond Island, Michigan, to develop baseline knowledge on Black Bear ecology in Michigan. Adult male annual home ranges were larger than adult female annual home ranges on Drummond Island. Seasonal movements also differed among bear sex and age classes during the spring and breeding seasons; adult females with cubs moved less than other bears in the spring, and adult males moved more than other bears in the breeding season. Bear movement patterns on Drummond Island were similar to movement patterns described elsewhere in the United States, with the exception of larger adult female annual home ranges than previously described.