Selected Bear Research Publications
Scientists with the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute publish Florida black bear research results in agency reports, journals and other professional publications. The list below, sorted by year, contains selected publications on black bear research, some of which include a link to where they can be accessed or downloaded. For a complete list of publications on the Florida black bear, including those written by non-FWC scientists, browse the Bibliography of Literature on the Florida Black Bear.
Many of these publications are accessible through the FWC Digital Library.
Doran-Myers, D., M. Parry, S. M. McHugh, M. McCollister, B. K. Scheick, and S. Shiver. 2023. American black bears depredate American alligator nests in South Florida. Southeastern Naturalist 22(3):N58-N66.
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Hardeman, D. W. J., H. B. Vander Zanden, J. W. McCown, B. K. Scheick, and R. A. McCleery. 2023. Black Bear Behavior and Movements Are Not Definitive Measures of Anthropogenic Food Use. animals 13(950).
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Scheick, B. K., M. A. Barrett, and D. Doran-Myers. 2023. Change in black bear range and distribution in Florida using two decadal datasets from 2001–2020. Journal of Wildlife Management 87(4):e22394.
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Barrett, M. A., N. J. Harriel, and S. E. Barrett. 2021. Improving estimates of body mass in American black bears using morphometrics and non-linear models. Ursus e5(e5).
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Poor, E. E., B.K. Scheick, J.M. Mullinax. 2020. Multiscale consensus habitat modeling for landscape level conservation prioritization. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1-13. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-74716-3
Hardeman, D. W. J. 2019. Effects of the human-dominated landscape on the behavior of female black bears (Ursus americanus floridanus). Thesis. University of Florida.
Karelus, D. L., J. W. McCown, B. K. Scheick, M. van de Kerk, B. M. Bolker, and M. K. Oli. 2019. Incorporating movement patterns to discern habitat selection: black bears as a case study. Wildlife Research 46(1):76-88.
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Karelus, D.L., J.W. McCown, B.K. Scheick, M.K. Oli. 2018. Microhabitat features influencing habitat use by Florida black bears. Global Ecology and Conservation, 13(e00367). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989417302287
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). 2017. Bear Management Unit Population Model Report. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Tallahassee.
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Humm, J. M., J. W. McCown, B. K. Scheick, and J. D. Clark. 2017. Spatially explicit population estimates for black bears based on cluster sampling. Journal of Wildlife Management 81:1187-1201.
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Karelus, D. L., J. W. McCown, B. K. Scheick, M. Van de Kerk, B. M. Bolker, and M. K. Oli. 2017. Effects of environmental factors and landscape features on movement patterns of Florida black bears. Journal of Mammalogy.
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Murphy, S. M., B. C. Augustine, W. A. Ulrey, J. M. Guthrie, B. K. Scheick, J. W. McCown, and J. J. Cox. 2017. Consequences of severe habitat fragmentation on density, genetics, and spatial capture-recapture analysis of a small bear population. PLoS ONE.
Open Access
Garshelis, D. L., B. K. Scheick, D. L. Doan-Crider, J. J. Beecham, and M. E. Obbard. 2016. Ursus americanus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species e.T41687A45034604.
Open Access
Karelus, D., J. W. McCown, B. K. Scheick, M. Van de Kerk, and M. K. Oli. 2016. Home ranges and habitat selection by black bears in a newly colonized population in Florida. Southeastern Naturalist 15:346-364.
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Pienaar, E. F., D. Telesco, and S. Barrett. 2015. Understanding people's willingness to implement measures to manage human-bear conflict in Florida. Journal of Wildlife Management 79:798-806.
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Scheick, B. K., and W. McCown. 2014. Geographic distribution of American black bears in North America. Ursus 25:24-33.
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Barrett, M. A., D. J. Telesco, S. E. Barrett, K. M. Widness, and E. H. Leone. 2014. Testing bear-resistant trash cans in residential areas of Florida. Southeastern Naturalist 13:26-39.
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Garrison, E. P., J. W. McCown, M. A. Barrett, and M. K. Oli. 2012. Denning ecology of Florida black bears in North-central Florida. Southeastern Naturalist 11:517-528.
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McCown, J.W., and B. K. Scheick. 2012. Range update and genetic analysis of American black bear in the Chassahowitzka subpopulation. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Tallahassee, Florida, Final Report. IHR2012-005. 28 pp.
Van Den Bussche, R. A., J. B. Lack, D. P. Onorato, L. C. Gardner-Santana, B. R. McKinney, J. Delgado Villalobos, M. J. Chamberlain, D. White, Jr., and E. C. Hellgren. 2009. Mitochondrial DNA phylogeography of black bears (Ursus americanus) in central and southern North America: conservation implications. Journal of Mammalogy 90(5):1075-1082.
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Scheick, B. K., M. W. Cunningham, J. W. McCown, and M. A. Orlando. 2009. Anchor modification for a foot-hold snare to capture American black bears. Ursus 20(1):47-49.
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McCown, J. W., P. Kubilis, T. H. Eason, and B. K. Scheick. 2009. Effect of traffic volume on American black bears in central Florida, USA. Ursus 20(1):39-46.
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Hostetler, J.A., J.W. McCown, E.P. Garrison, A.M. Neils, M.A. Barrett, M.E. Sunquist, S.L. Simek, and M.K. Oli. 2009. Demographic consequences of anthropogenic influences: Florida black bears in north-central Florida. Biological Conservation 142:2456-2463.
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Moyer, M.A., J.W. McCown, and M.K. Oli. 2008. Scale-dependent habitat selection by female Florida black bears in Ocala National Forest, Florida. Southeastern Naturalist 7(1):111-124.
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Moyer, M. A., J. W. McCown, and M. K. Oli. 2007. Factors influencing home-range size of female Florida black bears. Journal of Mammalogy 88:468-476.
Garrison, E. P., J. W. McCown, and M. K. Oli. 2007. Reproductive ecology and cub survival of Florida black bears. Journal of Wildlife Management 720-727.
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Dixon, J. D., M. K. Oli, M. C. Wooten, T. H. Eason, J. W. McCown, and M. W. Cunningham. 2007. Genetic consequences of habitat fragmentation and loss: the case of the Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus). Conservation Genetics 8:455-464.
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Cunningham, M.W., S. Terrell, B. Feree, and L.M. Penfold. 2007. Epizootiology of generalized Demodicosis in a Florida black bear population. Proceedings of 56th Annual Wildlife Disease Association Conference. Estes Park, Colorado.
Moyer, M. A., J. W. McCown, T. H. Eason, and M. K. Oli. 2006. Does genetic relatedness influence space use patterns? A test on Florida black bears. Journal of Mammalogy 87(2):255-261.
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Dixon, J. D., M. K. Oli, M. C. Wooten, T. H. Eason, J. W. McCown, D. Paetkau. 2006. Effectiveness of a regional corridor in connecting two Florida black bear populations. Conservation Biology 20(1):155-162.
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Dobey, S., M. R. Pelton, D. V. Masters, B. K. Scheick, M. E. Sunquist, and J. D. Clark. 2005. Ecology of Florida black bears in the Okefenokee-Osceola ecosystem. Wildlife Monographs 158:1-41.
Simek, S. L., S. A. Jonker, B. K. Scheick, M. J. Endries, and T. H. Eason. 2005. Statewide Assessment of Road Impacts on Bears in Six Study Areas in Florida from May 2001 – September 2003. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Tallahassee, Florida. Final Report for FDOT Contract BC-972.
McCown, W., P. Kubilis, T. Eason, and B. Scheick. 2004. Black bear movements and habitat use relative to roads in Ocala National Forest. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Tallahassee, Florida, Final Report. FDOT Contract # BD-016.
Cunningham, M. W., L. A. Phillips, and C. Wellbourn. 2001. Trombiculiasis in the Florida black bear. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 37:634-639
McCown, J. W., and T. H. Eason. 2001. Black bear movements and habitat use relative to roads in Ocala National Forest: preliminary findings. Pages 397-404 in G. L. Evink, L. Coryell, L. Terwilliger, C. McCraken, K. Yondora, A. Peppers, and D. Zeigler (eds.), A Time For Action, Proceedings of the International Conference on Ecology and Transportation. North Carolina State University, Keystone, Colorado, USA.
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Gilbert, T. 2000. Prioritization of statewide bear roadkill problem areas. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Tallahassee. 30 pp.
Dunbar, M. R., M. W. Cunningham, and J. C. Roof. 1998. Seroprevalence of selected disease agents from free-ranging black bears in Florida. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 34(3):612-619.
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Roof, J. C. 1997. Black bear food habits in the lower Wekiva River basin of central Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 25(3):92-97.
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Seibert, S. G., J. Roof, and D. S. Maehr. 1997. Family dissolution in the Florida black bear. Florida Field Naturalist 25(3):103-104.
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Dunbar, M. R., M. W. Cunningham, J. B. Wooding, and R. Roth. 1996. Cryptorchidism and delayed testicular descent in Florida black bears. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 32(4):661-664.
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Gilbert, T. and J. Wooding. 1996. An overview of black bear roadkills in Florida 1976-1995. 15 pages in G. L. Evink, P. Garrett, D. Zeigler, and J. Berry (eds.), Trends in Addressing Transportation Related Wildlife Mortality, Proceedings of the Transportation Related Wildlife Mortality Seminar. State of Florida Department of Transportation, Orlando, Florida, USA.
Roof, J. and J. Wooding. 1996. Evaluation of S.R. 46 wildlife crossing in Lake County, Florida. 7 pages in G. L. Evink, P. Garrett, D. Zeigler, and J. Berry (eds.), Trends in Addressing Transportation Related Wildlife Mortality, Proceedings of the Transportation Related Wildlife Mortality Seminar. State of Florida Department of Transportation, Orlando, Florida, USA.
Wooding, J. B. 1996. Feasibility of stocking bears in the Big Bend region. Final Report, Study 7554. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Tallahassee, Florida. 8 pp.
Wooding, J. B. and B. J. Bukata. 1996. Litter size and age of first breeding of Florida black bears. Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 50:609-613.
Dunbar, M. R., J. B. Wooding, and L. A. Thomas. 1995. Salmonella hartford infection in a Florida black bear, (Ursus americanus floridanus). Florida. Scientist 58(3):252-254.
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Seibert, S. G. 1995. Winter movements and denning of black bears in northwest Florida. Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 49:283-291.
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Wooding, J. B. 1995. Black bear reintroduction planning study. Final Report, Study 7557. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Tallahassee, Florida.
Land, E. D. 1994. Southwest Florida black bear habitat use, distribution, movements, and conservation strategy. Final Report, Study 7552. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Tallahassee, Florida
Seibert, S. G. and J. B. Wooding. 1994. Evaluation of breakaway radio collars on black bears in Florida. Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 48:247-251.
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Wooding, J. B. and T. S. Hardisky. 1994. Home range, habitat use, and mortality of black bears in north-central Florida. International Conference Bear Research and Management 9:349-356.
Wooding, J. B. and R. C. Maddrey. 1994. Impact of roads on black bears. Eastern Black Bear Workshop 12:124-129.
Duda, M. D. and K. C. Young. 1993. Floridian’s opinions on black bear hunting in Florida. Final Report to the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. Responsive Management, Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Seibert, S. G. 1993. Status and management of black bears in Apalachicola National Forest. Final Report, Study 7551. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Tallahassee, Florida.
Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. 1992. A review of black bear hunting in Florida. A Staff Report to the Commission. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Tallahassee, Florida.
Maehr, D.S. and J.B. Wooding. 1992. Threatened: Florida black bear, Ursus americanus floridanus, Family: Ursidae, Order: Carnivora. Pages 265-275 in S. R. Humphrey, (ed.), Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida, Volume 1, Mammals. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
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Wooding, J. B. and T. S. Hardisky. 1992. Denning by black bears in northcentral Florida. Journal Mammalogy 73:895-898.
Wooding, J. B., S. M. Shea, M. L. Richardson, and D. Y. Dowling. 1992. Movements of a female black bear in northwestern Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 20(2):46-48.
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Maehr, D. S. and J. N. Layne, E. D. Land, J. W. McCown, and J. C. Roof. 1988. Long distance movements of a Florida black bear. Florida Field. Naturalist 16(1):1-6.
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Wooding, J. B. and T. S. Hardisky. 1988. Black bear habitat study. Final Performance Report, Study 7552. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Tallahassee, Florida.
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Wooding, J. B., N. L. Hunter, and T. S. Hardisky. 1988. Trap and release apiary-raiding black bears. Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 42:333-336.
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Wooding, J. B. and J. R. Brady. 1987. Black bear roadkills in Florida. Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 41:438-442.
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Pirtle, E. C., M. E. Rolke, and J. R. Brady. 1986. Antibodies against pseudo rabies virus in the serum of a Florida black bear cub. Journal American Veterinary Medicine Association 189:1164.
Brady, J.R. and D.S. Maehr. 1985. Distribution of black bears in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 13:1-7.
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Forrester, D. J., J. A. Conti, and R. C. Belden. 1985. Demodicosis in black bears (Ursus americanus) from Florida. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 29:136-138. Access publication
Harlow, R. F. 1961. Characteristics and status of Florida black bear. Transactions of the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference 26:481-495.
Maehr, D. S., and J. T. DeFazio, Jr. 1985. Foods of black bears in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 13:8-12.
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Maehr, D.S. and J.R. Brady. 1984. Comparison of food habits in two north Florida black bear populations. Florida Scientist 47:171-175.
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Maehr, D. S., and J. R. Brady. 1984. Food habits of Florida black bears. Journal of Wildlife Management 48(1):230-235.
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Maehr, D. S. 1984. The black bear as a seed disperser in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 12:40-42.
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Maehr, D. S. 1984. Black bear depredation on bee yards in Florida. Pages 133-135 in D. J. Decker (ed.), Proceedings of the First Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference, Ithaca, New York, USA.
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Maehr, D. S. and J. R. Brady. 1982. Fall food habits of black bears in Baker and Columbia counties, Florida. Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 36:565-570.
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Maehr, D. S. and J. R. Brady. 1982. Florida black bear-beekeeper conflict: 1981 beekeeper survey. American Bee Journal 122(5):372-375.
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Williams, L.E., Jr. 1979. Threatened: Florida black bear. Pages 23-25 in Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida, Vol. 1, Mammals, J. N. Layne (ed.), University Press of Florida. Gainesville, Florida.
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McDaniel, J. 1974. Habitat of the black bear in Florida. Eastern Black Bear Workshop 2:157-162.
Stafford, S. K. and L. E. Williams, Jr. 1968. Data on capturing black bears with alpha-chloralose. Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 22:161-165.
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Harlow, R. F. 1962. Osteometric data for the Florida black bear. Journal of the Florida Academy of Science 25:257-274.