In early spring, they also depend to some extent on the carrion of winter-killed animals. Later on, they rob eggs from nesting waterfowl on river banks, fish along streams, and dig up roots and tubers. In later summer and fall, berries are an important food. It is uncommon for black bears to dig squirrels or marmots out of their burrows, but they do eat lemmings, mice and voles when they can catch them. Black bears occasionally prey on young moose, sheep or caribou if the opportunity presents itself, but generally they are not active hunters and the majority of their diet is vegetable matter.
Food is a frequent cause of contention between bears and men.
Dumps, camps, cabins, food caches and townsites are often raided by bears looking for an easy meal. Once a bear becomes habituated to human food or garbage, it can seldom be persuaded to forego it, and all too often this results in the death of the bear, which must be shot to ensure human safety.