| Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) |
1 |
1.1 |
Identify key recovery blocks and key corridors. |
Ongoing Current |
FY 2000 - FY 2004 |
FY 2000 - FY 2004 |
National Wildlife Refuge , Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries , Region 4 - Ecological Services, Natural Resources Conservation Service , Lower Mississippi Valley Ecosystem Plan (USFWS) , UNIVersity (Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, UNIVersity of Tennessee, Louisiana State UNIVersity, Mississippi State UNIVersity, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit) , Black Bear Conservation Committee , East Texas Black Bear Task Force, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks |
Acquisition: Easement, Acquisition: Management Agreement, Acquisition: Fee Title, Management: Planning |
Internal Technical Assistance |
Use GIS and use results of task 4.2. The first Black Bear Habitat Restoration Planning Maps for Louisiana were adopted for use in 2000 and are periodically updated. The most recent version, was updated spring, 2011. Similar maps have been developed and are in use in Mississippi. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Partners have developed Land Conservation Priority Maps for east Texas, A Hardwood Habitat Cooperative offers a cost-share program landowners that want to restore or enhance hardwood habitat in that area. |
|
| Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) |
1 |
1.2 |
Develop landowner protection of bear habitat. |
Ongoing Current |
FY 2000 - FY 2004 |
|
National Wildlife Refuge , Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries , Region 4 - Ecological Services, Private land or timber land owners and land managers , Black Bear Conservation Committee , East Texas Black Bear Task Force, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks |
Management: General |
Internal Field Assistance |
Accomplished through use of conservation agreements (e.g., WRP,PFW, etc.) by various groups/programs. Since 1993/4, in Louisiana, approximately 130,000 ac (53,000 ha) have been protected and/or restored within the Black Bear Habitat Restoration Planning Map area via the NRCS Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), mostly in the Tensas River and Upper Atchafalaya River Basins with approximately 41,000 ac (16,592 ha) directly benefitting breeding populations. Over 138,000 ac (56,000 ha) of private land have been enrolled in permanent easements under the WRP in Mississippi bear habitat restoration priority areas adjacent to Louisiana (Ginger et al. 2007). Between 2008 and 2011, over 500 acreas have been restored and 1,550 acres have been enhanced in East Texas. |
|
| Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) |
2 |
1.3 |
Enhance, restore, and manage bear habitat. |
Ongoing Current |
Prior to FY 1995 |
|
East Texas Black Bear Task Force, Private land or timber land owners and land managers , Natural Resource Conservation Service, Lower Mississippi Valley Ecosystem Plan (USFWS) , Texas Parks and Wildlife, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries , Region 4 - Ecological Services, Black Bear Conservation Committee , State Wildlife Management Area (LDWF) , U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks , National Wildlife Refuge , Reality (USFWS) |
Acquisition: General, Acquisition: Easement, Acquisition: Management Agreement, Acquisition: Fee Title |
Internal Field Assistance |
Use the BBCC Black Bear Management Handbook (completed in October 1992 and periodically updated) as a guide. It was last updated in 2005. |
|
| Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) |
2 |
1.4 |
Develop, implement, and evaluate habitat restoration plan |
Ongoing Current |
Prior to FY 1995 |
FY 2000 - FY 2004 |
National Wildlife Refuge , Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 4 - Ecological Services, Natural Resources Conservation Service , Private land or timber land owners and land managers , Reality (USFWS) , UNIVersity (Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, UNIVersity of Tennessee, Louisiana State UNIVersity, Mississippi State UNIVersity, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit) , Black Bear Conservation Committee , Texas Parks and Wildlife, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks |
Management: General |
Internal Administrative |
Incorporate task 1.1. Black Bear Habitat Restoration Planning Maps adopted for use in 2000. The BBCC Black Bear Management handbook was completed in 1997 and updated in 2005. The BBCC Black Bear Restoration plan was completed in 1997 and updated in 2007. |
|
| Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) |
1 |
1.5 |
Protect habitat to support long-term survival of bear populations. |
Ongoing Current |
FY 2000 - FY 2004 |
|
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries , Region 4 - Ecological Services, National Wildlife Refuge , Lower Mississippi Valley Ecosystem Plan (USFWS) , Black Bear Conservation Committee , U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks , State Wildlife Management Area (LDWF) , Reality (USFWS) , East Texas Black Bear Task Force, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Private land or timber land owners and land managers |
Acquisition: General |
Internal Field Assistance |
Incorporate tasks 1.1, 3.1 and use results of 4.2. |
|
| Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) |
1 |
2.1 |
Disseminate bear status, recovery, and management information. |
Ongoing Current |
Prior to FY 1995 |
|
National Wildlife Refuge , Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries , Region 4 - Ecological Services, Natural Resources Conservation Service , UNIVersity (Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, UNIVersity of Tennessee, Louisiana State UNIVersity, Mississippi State UNIVersity, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit) , Black Bear Conservation Committee , BeaR Education and Restoration Group of Mississippi, East Texas Black Bear Task Force, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks , U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
Management: General, Other: Information and Education |
Contract |
The BBCC, BEaR group of Mississippi, and the East Texas Black Bear Task Force, the three state agencies (LA, MS, TX) and the Service actively conduct public education activities through such events as workshops, public speaking, brochures, and festivals throughout the year. |
|
| Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) |
2 |
2.2 |
Reduce illegal killing through education. |
Ongoing Current |
Prior to FY 1995 |
|
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks , Texas Parks and Wildlife, Region 4 - Law Enforcement, BeaR Education and Restoration Group of Mississippi, Black Bear Conservation Committee , Region 4 - Ecological Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Animal Damage Control (USDA) , Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries , National Wildlife Refuge |
Management: Other, Other: Information and Education |
Contract |
Two Annual Festivals, one each in Mississippi and Louisiana educate the public regarding the LA black bear. The Ellen Trout and Houston Zoo each hold an annual Bear Awareness Day in Texas. FWS Refuges educate the public at their headquarters and during public events such as Wild Things. In 2009, the LDWF made public education on living with bears an outreach priority and implements that through public meetings and workshops. The other state agencies have developed and distributed brochures on living and hunting around bears. As part of conflict management, private individuals are educated on a one to one basis regarding living around bears as the opportunity arises. State agencies and FWS refuges have been implementing hunter education efforts.
|
|
| Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) |
3 |
2.3 |
Reduce human-bear conflict through education. |
Ongoing Current |
Prior to FY 1995 |
|
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks , Texas Parks and Wildlife, East Texas Black Bear Task Force, Region 4 - Law Enforcement, BeaR Education and Restoration Group of Mississippi, Black Bear Conservation Committee , UNIVersity (Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, UNIVersity of Tennessee, Louisiana State UNIVersity, Mississippi State UNIVersity, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit) , Region 4 - Ecological Services, Animal Damage Control (USDA) , Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries , National Wildlife Refuge |
Other: Information and Education |
Species Expert, Contract, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance, Internal Administrative |
A Multi-partner Nuisance Bear Contingency Plan (signed in October 1994) was used as guide until 1999. At that time, the LA Dept. of Wildlife and & Fisheries assumed the lead for conflict management in LA. MS DWF also assumes the lead for conflict management in their state. Texas Parks and Wildlife is developing a conflict response plan. In 2007, St. Mary Parish instituted the use of bear-proof garbage containers; a significant step in addressing nuisance bear conflict in the lower Atchafalaya Basin population. Beginning in 2009, the LDWF has been assisting St. Mary in implementing nuisance bear abatement through a community development and education program. This has been very successful in reducing nuisance activity.
|
|
| Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) |
2 |
2.4 |
Identify bear management incentives for private landowners and distribute. |
Ongoing Current |
Prior to FY 1995 |
|
East Texas Black Bear Task Force, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks , Black Bear Conservation Committee , BeaR Education and Restoration Group of Mississippi, National Wildlife Refuge , Region 4 - Ecological Services, Natural Resources Conservation Service , Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries |
Management: Other, Other: Information and Education |
Internal Field Assistance |
The Service, through its Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, the BBCC through its Private Lands programs, the MS BEaR group and the East Texas Black Bear Task Force and the LDWF through, their private landowner programs, disseminate information on management incentives to private landowners. |
|
| Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) |
2 |
3.1 |
Enforce legal protection of bears. |
Ongoing Current |
Prior to FY 1995 |
|
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries , Region 4 - Ecological Services, National Wildlife Refuge , Animal Damage Control (USDA) , Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks , Region 4 - Law Enforcement |
Other: Information and Education, Other: Law Enforcement |
Internal Field Assistance |
Use existing program funding. |
|
| Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) |
3 |
3.2 |
Coordinate record keeping of bear deaths. |
Ongoing Current |
FY 2000 - FY 2004 |
FY 2008 |
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks , Texas Parks and Wildlife, Region 4 - Law Enforcement, Black Bear Conservation Committee , UNIVersity (Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, UNIVersity of Tennessee, Louisiana State UNIVersity, Mississippi State UNIVersity, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit) , Region 4 - Ecological Services, Animal Damage Control (USDA) , Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries |
Management: Other |
Internal Technical Assistance |
The Service, USGS and LDWF, are cooperating to implement a web-based data management system for bear sightings and mortalities. Historical and current data entry is complete and is being verified. The next phase, creating an application to generate reports and map applications has begun. |
|
| Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) |
2 |
3.3 |
Develop and implement road management guidelines. |
Ongoing Current |
FY 2000 - FY 2004 |
|
National Wildlife Refuge , Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries , Region 4 - Ecological Services, USGS Southern Appalachain Field Laboratory at UT, UNIVersity (Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, UNIVersity of Tennessee, Louisiana State UNIVersity, Mississippi State UNIVersity, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit) , Black Bear Conservation Committee |
Management: Other |
Internal Administrative |
Road guidelines have been developed on a case by case basis for specific projects and are modifed as new data becomes available. LDWF has begun working with the LA DOT to address highway concerns. |
|
| Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) |
3 |
3.4 |
Develop and implement bear management plans. |
Obsolete |
|
|
National Wildlife Refuge , Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries , Region 4 - Ecological Services, Private land or timber land owners and land managers , UNIVersity (Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, UNIVersity of Tennessee, Louisiana State UNIVersity, Mississippi State UNIVersity, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit) , Black Bear Conservation Committee , East Texas Black Bear Task Force, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks |
Work type not yet selected |
Internal Administrative |
Plans for Best Management Units, discussed in the original BBCC Black Bear Restoration Plan are obsolete and have been replaced by existing and developing state-wide plans (e.g., the developing LDWF plan, The BBCC Restoration Plan for LA, and the MS and TX State Bear Management Plans). Implementation and monitoring of statewide plans is ongoing. |
|
| Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) |
3 |
3.5 |
Monitor results of bear management plans. |
Obsolete |
|
|
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries , Region 4 - Ecological Services, National Wildlife Refuge , Black Bear Conservation Committee , Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks , Private land or timber land owners and land managers , Texas Parks and Wildlife |
Management: Other |
Internal Administrative |
Ongoing activities are for the individual state plans and not for the obsolete BMUs. |
|
| Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) |
3 |
3.6 |
Review bear management plans. |
Obsolete |
|
|
National Wildlife Refuge , Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries , Region 4 - Ecological Services, Private land or timber land owners and land managers , UNIVersity (Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, UNIVersity of Tennessee, Louisiana State UNIVersity, Mississippi State UNIVersity, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit) , Black Bear Conservation Committee , East Texas Black Bear Task Force, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks |
Management: Other |
Internal Administrative |
The BBCC restoration plan was updated in 2007. The MS and TX plans were completed in 2006 and 2005 respectively. The LA Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries is currently writing a plan. |
|
| Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) |
2 |
4.1 |
Develop population monitoring techniques or indices. |
Ongoing Current |
Prior to FY 1995 |
|
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries , Region 4 - Ecological Services, USGS Southern Appalachain Field Laboratory at UT, National Wildlife Refuge , Black Bear Conservation Committee , U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, UNIVersity (Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, UNIVersity of Tennessee, Louisiana State UNIVersity, Mississippi State UNIVersity, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit) , Private land or timber land owners and land managers |
Research: General |
Contract |
LDWF has begun investigating the use of state-wide bear hair survey methodology although such monitoring has not yet been implemented. Data collected during ongoing population studies will provide information for survey development. |
|
| Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) |
2 |
4.2 |
Conduct population viability analysis. |
Ongoing Current |
Prior to FY 1995 |
FY 2013 |
National Wildlife Refuge , Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 4 - Ecological Services, USGS Southern Appalachain Field Laboratory at UT, UNIVersity (Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, UNIVersity of Tennessee, Louisiana State UNIVersity, Mississippi State UNIVersity, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit) , Black Bear Conservation Committee |
Research: Demographic Studies |
Graduate Student, Contract |
LDWF-USGs (University of Tennessee) and the Service initiated population abundance and viability studies in Tensas River and Upper Atchafalaya basin subpopulations in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Population estimates for the Tensas River subpopulation were complete in 2010. Hooker(2010)estimated a mean population abundance of 294 bears(standard error of 31). That study indicates this population has increased. Population estimates for the Upper Atchafalaya subpopulation were completed in 2011. Lowe (2011) estimated a mean population abundance of 56 bears (standard error of 4.5). This estimate was greater than a previous study by Triant (2004) although results make not be directly comparable. Studies to estimate population viabiliy for those two subpopulations are ongoing. In 2010, LDWF-USGS (UT) bagan a population study of the lower Atchafalaya Basin subpopulation; that study is ongoing. |
|
| Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) |
2 |
4.3 |
Define viable subpopulation goals. |
Ongoing Current |
FY 2006 |
FY 2013 |
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries , Region 4 - Ecological Services, USGS Southern Appalachain Field Laboratory at UT, National Wildlife Refuge , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Black Bear Conservation Committee , UNIVersity (Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, UNIVersity of Tennessee, Louisiana State UNIVersity, Mississippi State UNIVersity, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit) |
Research: Population Assessment, Research: General |
Graduate Student, Contract |
This will be accomplished based on results of ongoing LDWF-USGS(UT) population viability studies in Tensas River, Upper and Lower Atchafalaya basins. |
|
| Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) |
3 |
4.4 |
Evaluate population indices and goals. |
Ongoing Current |
FY 1995 - FY 1999 |
FY 2013 |
National Wildlife Refuge , Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries , Region 4 - Ecological Services, USGS Southern Appalachain Field Laboratory at UT, UNIVersity (Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, UNIVersity of Tennessee, Louisiana State UNIVersity, Mississippi State UNIVersity, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit) , Black Bear Conservation Committee , Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks |
Research |
Graduate Student, Contract |
These items are currently being addressed as part of the LDWF-USGS (UT) demographics studies for the three Tensas, Upper and Lower Atchafalaya River Basin populations. |
|
| Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) |
2 |
4.5 |
Develop corridor guidelines. |
Ongoing Current |
FY 2000 - FY 2004 |
|
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries , Region 4 - Ecological Services, National Wildlife Refuge , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Black Bear Conservation Committee , UNIVersity (Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, UNIVersity of Tennessee, Louisiana State UNIVersity, Mississippi State UNIVersity, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit) |
Management: Planning |
Contract, Internal Technical Assistance |
These guidelines have been developed as part of Task 1.1. The results have been incorporated as refined into tasks 1.1 and 3.3. Additional information collected during movement studies will included as appropriate (Task 4.6). |
|
| Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) |
3 |
4.6 |
Study bear biology and limiting factors. |
Ongoing Current |
Prior to FY 1995 |
|
National Wildlife Refuge , Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries , Region 4 - Ecological Services, USGS Southern Appalachain Field Laboratory at UT, UNIVersity (Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, UNIVersity of Tennessee, Louisiana State UNIVersity, Mississippi State UNIVersity, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit) , Black Bear Conservation Committee , Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks |
Research: General, Research: Habitat Requirements |
Graduate Student, Contract |
USGS (UT) completed studies on the biology of bears and habitat from 2001 to 2005. LA State University (LSU) completed four studies: (1 &2) aspects of the repatriation project; (3) the effectiveness of aversive conditioning; and (4) den site selection and use. In 2009, USGS (UT) completed a study of the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on coastal Louisiana black bear habitat. In 2009, Mississippi State U. initiated studies of bear movements and habitat use in MS; those studies are ongoing. In 2009 the MDWF and University of Mississippi using GPS collars in order to investigate movements and the possible barriers to movement and habitat use; those studies are ongoing. MS State has also been conducting studies on den site selection; the results are being written. In 2010, the LDWF and USGS (University of Tennessee) began placing GPS collars on bears in Louisiana to collect similar data; those studies are also ongoing. A habitat suitability study (initiated in 2007) by Stephen F. Austin University in northeastern Texas has been completed. While no bears were detected during the study, researchers also conducted a rigorous assessment of region-wide habitat suitability in east and southeast Texas which resulted in the development of a landscape habitat suitability index model for evaluating year-round black bear habitat requirements.
|
|
