Black Bear (U. americanus) - body weight data

[thenormalguy]

This thread is solely a bibliographic listing of references with black bears (Ursus americanus) body weight data [which can comprise body weight data of other species aswell from times to times)

I made it myself.

I follow certains "rules" for my list

1. I listed and list studies from the earliest to the most recent.
2. Alphabetical order of authors by year.

To keep this thread clean, please comment as little as possible, and either mail me or mentioned me if you find a study with black bears body weights that i did not listed. Putting links out of the blue or screenshots of a table isn't pretty and can be easily confounding and disruptive in this kind of thread.

Thank you brobear theundertaker45

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[thenormalguy]

Incomplete recensement of Ursus americanus literature with body weight data.

January 2022

By C. B.

Ursus americanus

American Black Bear

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1. Beatty, M. E. 1938. New weight record for Sierra Nevada black bear. Yosemite Nat. Notes 17: 151-152
2. Black, H. C. 1958. Black bear research in New York. Trans. North Am. Wildl. Conf. 23: 443-461.
3. Erickson, A. W., and Youatt, W. G. 1961. Seasonal variations in the hematology and physiology of black bears. Journal of Mammalogy, 42(2): 198-203
4. Harlow, R. F. 1961. Characteristics and status of Florida black bear. Trans. North Am. Wildl. Nat. Resour. Conf. 26: 481-495.
5. Rausch, R. L. 1961. Notes on the black bear, Ursus americanus Pallas, in Alaska, with particular reference to dentition and growth. Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde, 26: 77-107
6. Miller, R. S. 1963. Weights and color phases of black bear cubs. Journal of Mammalogy, 44: 129
7. Marks, S. A., and Erickson, A. W. 1966. Age determination in the black bear. Journal of Wildlife Management, 30(2): 389-410
8. Guse, N. G., Jr. 1970. Large black bear from Yosemite. California Fish and Game 56: 208-209
9. Jonkel, C., and Cowan, I. McT. 1971. The black bear in the spruce-fir forest. Wildl. Monogr. N˚ 27. 57 p.
10. Poelker, R. J., and Hartwell, H. D. 1973. The black bear of Washington. Washington State Game Dep. Biol. Bull. 14. 180 pp. + VIII.
11. Rogers, L. L., Kuehn, D. W., Erickson, A. W., Harger, E. M., Verme, L. J., and Ozoga, J. J. 1974. Characteristics and management of black bears that feed in garbage dumps, campgrounds or residential areas. Int. Conf. Bear Res. and Manage. 3: 169-175.
12. Beeman, L. E. 1975. Population characteristics, movements, and activities of the black bear (Ursus americanus) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ph.D. Dissertation. University of Tennessee, Knoxville. 218 pp.
13. Piekielek, W., and Burton, T. S. 1975. A black bear population study in northern California. Calif. Dep. Fish and Game. 61(1): 4-25.
14. Sauer, P. R. 1975. Relationship of growth characteristics to sex and age for black bears from the Adirondack region of New York. New York Fish & Game 22: 81-113
15. Matula, G. J. 1976. Behavioral and physiological characteristics of black bears in northeastern Pennsylvania. M.S. Thesis, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania. 187pp. (Likely)
16. Franzmann, A. W., and Schwartz, C. C. 1978. Moose calf mortality study, Kenai Peninsula.**
17. Kordek, W. S., and Giles, J. M. 1978. Weights of Pennsylvania bears. Pennsylvania Game News, 49(10): 8-9.
18. Modafferi, R. D. 1978. Black bear management techniques development.**
19. Modafferi, R. D. 1978. Black bear movements and home range study.**
20. Nagy, J. A., and Russell, R. H. 1978. Ecological studies of the boreal forest grizzly bear. Can. Wildl. Serv. Ann. Rep. 85 pp.
21. Lloyd, K. 1979. Aspects of the ecology of black and grizzly bears in coastal British Columbia. Thesis, University of British Columbia.
22. Modafferi, R. D. 1979. Black bears movements and home range study.**
23. Siperek, J. M., Jr. 1979. Physical characteristics and blood analysis of black bears in the San Bernandino Mountains of southern California. M. S. Thesis. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. 63 pp.
24. Alt, G. L. 1980. Rate of growth and size of Pennsylvania black bears. Pennsylvania Game News 51(12): 7-18
25. Modafferi, R. D. 1980. Black bear movements and home range study.**
26. Schwartz, C. C., and Franzmann, A. W. 1980. Black bear predation on moose.**
27. Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 1981. Susitna Hydroelectric Project: Environmental studies annual progress report. Subtask 7.11: Big Game.**
28. Schwartz, C. C., and Franzmann, A. W. 1981. Black bear predation on moose.**
29. Miller, S. 1982. Susitna Hydroelectric Project: Phase I, final report: Big game studies, Volume VI: Black bear and brown bear.**
30. Graber, D. M. 1982. Ecology and management of black bears in Yosemite National Park.
31. Modafferi, R. D. 1982. Black bear movements and home range study.**
32. Schwartz, C. C., and Franzmann, A. W., and Johnson, D. C. 1982. Black bear predation on moose.**
33. Miller, S. D. 1983. Susitna Hydroelectric Project: Phase II, first annual progress report. Big game studies: Volume VI: Black bear and brown bear.**
34. Schwartz, C. C., Franzmann, A. W., and Johnson, D. C. 1983. Black bear predation on moose (Bear ecology studies).**
35. Massopust, J. L. 1984. Black bear homing tendencies, response to being chased by hunting dogs, reproductive biology, home range, diel movements, and habitat use in northern Wisconsin. 168 pp.
36. Mech, L. D., Chapman, R. C., Cochran, W. W., Simmons, L., and Seal, U. S. 1984. Radio-triggered anesthetic-dart collar for recapturing large mammals. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 12(1): 69-74.
37. Miller, S. D. 1984. Susitna Hydroelectric Project: 1983 annual report: Big game studies: Volume VI: Black bear and brown bear.**
38. Schwartz, C. C., Franzmann, A. W., and Johnson, D. C. 1984. Population ecology of the Kenai Peninsula black bear.**
39. Waddell, T. E., and Brown, D. E. 1984. Weights and color of black bears in the Pinaleño Mountains, Arizona. J. Mamm. 65(2): 350-351.
40. Miller, S. D., and Sterling, D. 1985. Susitna Hydroelectric Project: Phase II progress report. Big game studies: Vol. VI. Black bear and brown bear.**
41. Schwartz, C. C., Franzmann, A. W., and Johnson, D. C. 1985. Population ecology of the Kenai Peninsula black bear.**
42. Smith, R. P. 1985. The book of the black bear. Winchester Press. New century Publishers, New Jersey. 247 p.
43. Miller, S. D. 1987. Susitna Hydroelectric Project: Final report: Big game studies, Volume VI: Black bear and brown bear.**
44. Rogers, L. L. 1987. Effects of food supply and kinship on social behavior, movements, and population growth of black bears in north-eastern Minnesota, USA. Wildl. Monogr. 97. 72 pp.
45. Schroeder, M. T. 1987. Blood chemistry, hematology, and condition evaluation of black bears in north-coastal California. Int. Conf. Bear Res. and Manage. 7: 333-349.
46. Lemieux, R., and Messier, F. 1988. Précision des mesures morphométriques, crâniennes et de bacula comme indicateurs d’âge chez l’ours noir. Québec, Ministère du Loisir, de la Chasse et de la Pêche. Direction de la gestion des espèces et des habitats. 20 p.
47. Alt, G. L. 1989. Reproductive biology of female black bears and early growth and development of cubs in north-eastern Pennsylvania. Ph.D. Thesis, Univ. West Virginia, Morgantown. 116 pp.
48. McLean, P. K., and Pelton, M. R. 1990. Some demographic comparisons of wild and panhandler bears in the Smoky Mountains. Int. Conf. Bear Res. and Manage. 8: 105-112.
49. Stringham, S. F. 1990. Black bear reproductive rate relative to body weight in hunted populations. Int. Conf. Bear Res. and Manage. 8: 425-432.
50. Watts, P. D. 1990. Comparative weight loss in three species of Ursids under simulated denning conditions. Bears: Their Biology and Management, Vol. 8, A Selection of papers from the Eighth International Conference on Bear Research and Management, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, February 1989, pp. 139-141.
51. Hechtel, J. L. 1991. Population dynamics of black bear populations, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.**
52. Schwartz, C. C., and Franzmann, A. W. 1991. Interrelationship of black bears to moose and forest succession in the northern coniferous forest. J. Wildl. Manage. 38 : 97-100.
53. Day, S. 1993. A preliminary comparison of size and growth characteristics of the Newfoundland black bear, Ursus americanus hamiltoni, with mainland populations. Thèse de maîtrise. Départment de Biologie, Université Memorial, Saint-Jean, Terre-Neuve, 52 p.
54. Farley, S. D., and Robbins, C. T. 1995. Lactation, hibernation, and weight dynamics of American black and grizzly bears. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 73: 2216-2222.
    
55. Marchinton, Forrest B., "Movement Ecology of Black Bears in a Fragmented Bottomland Hardwood Habitat in Louisiana. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 1995.
56. Storlid, S. A. 1995. Spring and summer habitat use and food habits of black bears in northern Wisconsin. Thesis. University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
57. Noyce, K. V., and Garshelis, D. L. 1998. Spring weight changes in black bears in north-central Minnesota: the negative foraging period revisited. Ursus 10: 521-531.
58. McDonald, J. E., and Fuller, T. K. 2001. Prediction of litter size in American black bears. Ursus 12: 93-102.
59. Bertram, M. R., and Vivion, M. T. 2002. Black bear monitoring in eastern Interior Alaska. Ursus, 13: 69-77.
60. Eason, T. H. 2002. Population ecology of black bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Thesis. University of Tennessee.
61. Hammond, F. M. 2002. Stratton Mountain Black Bear Study : The effects of resort and residential development on black bears in Vermont. Final Report.
62. Harlow, H. J., Lohuis, T., Grogan, R.G., Beck, T.D.I. 2002. Body mass and lipid changes by hibernating reproductive and nonreproductive black bears (Ursus americanus). Journal of Mammalogy 83: 1020–1025.
    
63. Lessard, M-E., Jolicoeur, H., Berthiaume, R., and Racine, C. 2002. Poids, pelage et mensurations d’ours noir au Québec. Société de la faune et des parcs du Québec.
64. Van Why, Kyle Ryan, "Feasibility of restoring the Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) to portions of their former range" (2003). LSU Master's Theses. 761. digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/761
65. Peacock, E. 2004. Population, genetic and behavioral studies of black bears Ursus americanus in Southeast Alaska. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Nevada, Reno.
66. Ternent, M. A. 2006. Management and biology of black bears in Pennsylvania: Ten Year Plan (2006-2015).
67. Mansfield, S. A. 2007. Effects of supplemental food on weights and reproductive success of black bears in north-eastern Minnesota. M.Sc. Department of Environmental Studies, Antioch University, New England.
68. McCollister, Matthew Flanders, "Impacts of a 4-Lane Highway on the Spatial Ecology of American Black Bears and the Effectiveness of Wildlife Underpasses in Eastern North Carolina. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 2008. trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/467
    
    
69. 2009. Misssissippi Black Bears Weights. In Wildlife Research Findings 2009.https://www.mdwfp.com/media/3985/wildliferesearchfindings2009.pdf
70. Craig (Unpublished data). In Lessard et al (2002).
71. Obbard (Unpublished data). In Lessard et al (2002)

** = Available in Wildlife Publications, Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

[brobear]

This topic is lacking in serious research.... 
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bear.org/bear-facts/weight/ 
 
Quote: Typical weights
Males of breeding age: 125-500 lbs or more
Females of breeding age: 90-300 lbs or more

Records
Male: 880 lbs (399 kgs), Craven Co., NC, 1998 or 902 lbs (410 kg) field-dressed, New Brunswick, 1972
Female: 520 lbs (236 kgs), St. Louis Co., MN, Aug 30, 1993

Captive bears may exceed these weights. 
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"Males of breeding age: 125-500 lbs or more"... meaning that adolescent bears just reaching sexual maturity are in the mix for average weight of adult bears. 
 
*Note: Most boys begin puberty between the ages of 9 and 15. Should these boys be considered as adults?