Nineteen black bears (Ursus americanus) equipped with transmitter units were monitored on the Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina from May 1981-December 1982. Home ranges of males (61.0 km2) were 3.6 times greater than female home ranges (16.9 km2). Fall shuffles were not observed possibly due to the abundance and diversity of mast on the study area. Extensive overlap between reproductive females was observed, and the home ranges of adult males overlapped some female home ranges more than others. Dispersal of 2 subadult males occurred after they began using the same area as an adult male. Increased activity and variation in travel distances during the fall suggested that bears were foraging for mast that would prepare them for denning. Bears used all oak types, except scarlet oak, according to mast abundance; scarlet oak areas were used the least of any oak forest type.
