The importance of vegetation, insects, and neonate ungulates in black beardiet in northeastern Oregon

Fecal samples were examined to estimate black bear (Ursus americanus) diet in northeastern Oregon during 1998 and 1999 to determine the important food items. Mean estimated relative volume of food items in 621 scats was 35% g rasses, 24% insects, 16% fruit, 11% soil and wood, 10% animal remains, and 4% leaves and stems. During June, remains of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus ) and elk (Cervus elaphus) occurred in 44% of the scats in 1998 and in 25% in 1999, at a time when other protein-rich food sources were unavailable. B etween May and October, > 40% of all scats collected in each month containe d insects, and 98% of those scats collected in July contained insects. A si gnificantly higher volume of insects occurred in scats in 1999 compared to 1998, probably because berries were scarce in 1999. Of the 434 scats contai ning insects, 40% contained carpenter ants (Camponotus spp.), 45% other sma ll ants (Lasius sp, Tapinoma sp., Aphaenogaster sp.), 36% forest ants (Form ica spp.), and 23% yellowjackets (Vespula spp., Dolichovespula sp.). Becaus e these ant species are all log-dwelling, management for coarse woody debri s is an important consideration in maintaining this important food resource for black bears in northeastern Oregon.