The North American black bear is the best known and the most widespread of the North American bears. Averaging 135 to 350 pounds, it is a medium size bear, although individuals over 600 pounds have been found. Don’t mistake the bear to be a slow animal. Even with its 350 pounds it can run up to 50 km an hour. Adult black bears, standing over three feet at the shoulders, have a predominately black coat which is smooth and short haired, compared to the brown bears. There are, however, a number of well defined colour variants: chocolate-brown, cinnamon and silver grey tending to off-white.

Black bears are solitary animals that wander all their lives in search of food. The black bear’s diet is similar to that of the brown bears, omnivores who will eat almost anything, but it is more markedly herbivorous. Depending on the season and the environment, vegetative matter makes up to 80% to 95% of its diet. During spring (April-May) black bears feed mainly on grass. In June they add insects, grubs and ants to their diet, and in the fall the main source of food are berries, mushrooms and acorns with supplemental carrion when available. Fall is a critical period as far as nutrition is concerned, in that season sufficient reserves of fat must be built up for the winter.

The black bear hibernates for between five and seven months each year. The preferred sites for winter dens include small caves, crevices, geological features, beneath deed falls or blow downs. During hibernation the black bear’s body temperature falls to about 88° f, from a normal 101° f. The frequency of its heartbeat decreases to about 50% of normal with other body functions diminished by 40-50%.
 
The black bears first mate at the age of 3.5 to 4.5 years, usually during June and July. The gestation period lasts about 7 months. The young are born in January and February in the mother’s winter den. At birth, the cub is blind and deaf with a sparsely developed coat, weighing only 0.5 to 1 pound.
 
 
Possible dangerous situations:

The forest is the bear's natural habitat and there’s no better place to see them. This encounter can inspire a certain fear.  Acting responsibly by respecting their habitat ensures your safety.
Here are our recommendations to minimize problems when you encounter a black bear while hiking in the forest.

To avoid meeting a bear:

If by chance you come upon a bear:

A bear will rarely approach. However, if this happens, continue backing up searching for some tool, stick or stone to defend yourself. 

In the event that a bear does attack:

As a last resort (according to Park Canada)

N.B. These recommendations only concern your forest hikes.

Staying safe around black bears

http://www.fapaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/faune/ours/index.htm

*Our activity is safe due to our installations and our guides.