Like grizzlies, cougars and other asocial, people-shy species, black bears are difficult and expensive to reliably count. A black bear's diet consists mostly of vegetation, perhaps as much as 80 percent. Grasses are a mainstay. This means that black bears are partial to forested areas interspersed with the open meadows that grow their dinner. Bears also like bulbs, berries, and the inner bark of some trees, as well as rodents, insects and carrion.
Bears are most active at night, so dusk and dawn are most likely sighting times.
Most visitors don't see a black bear, but if you happen to, do not approach it except with your binoculars. They have been known to attack and kill humans. The National Park Service asks that you report bear sightings in the parks, particularly those near areas with significant human traffic. Bears that have been taught by careless visitors that food can be found in campgrounds or cars or backpacks are moved if possible and destroyed if necessary. For more on how to treat both yourself and the region's bears with care, please see our Close-up on bear safety in the Hunting chapter.