The common black bear is a uniquely North American species found from Alaska throughout the Canadian provinces, in thirty-two U.S. states and south into northern Mexico. While the vast majority of black bears live in the North and West, healthy populations can be found on the East Coast, south through the Appalachians and across the southeast from Florida to southern Louisiana.

Current population estimates are 300,000 to 340,000 in the U.S. and 360,000 in 375,000 in Canada. Accounting for bear in a population census is difficult due to their secretive, nocturnal lifestyles. The good news is that black bear populations are slowly expanding across all ranges.

From an historical records perspective (1830–2007), out of the thirty-six categories of native North American big game recognized by B&C, black bear trophies rank third in total number of entries (2,048) behind whitetail deer (9,886–typical and nontypical) and pronghorn (2,611).

This column will focus on trophy areas in the upper Midwestern and provinces. In all-time ranking of total entries, WI, MB, MN, MI, ON rise to the top trophy destinations. Wisconsin ranks No. 1 out of all states and provinces in trophy entries with 299. Of these 299 total entries 206 (69 percent) have been taken in the last ten years. From the same region, Manitoba ranks No. 6 for total entries with 103, sixty of which have been taken in the last ten years. Forested habitat is key to healthy bear populations, and consequently trophy potential, as evidenced by population density studies as well as B&C records data.

Note: B&C records data tracks location by county in the U.S. and the nearest identifiable or known landmarks or communities in Canada and Alaska such as lakes, river drainages, mountain ranges, islands, etc. Consequently, in Canadian provinces and Alaska distribution of record book entries may appear to be spread across many locations when in fact, if pin-pointed on a map they may actually be bunched together.

Assumptions
• The data reveals only trophies scored and entered, meaning a particular region may be producing more trophy bears than registered, but not less.

• A mature bear does not guarantee a B&C trophy. Bears are scored by skull length and width. Genetically, a very old boar can have a proportionally small skull. Conversely a young bear can have a B&C skull.

• Skull size in impossible to judge in the field.

Conclusions
Mature animals exist everywhere there is a population. However with most species not every population produces records book-qualifying trophies. In the case of black bears, however, every population does have the potential of producing a record bear. What this B&C data shows are the regions where certain population densities can, and do, produce records book animals. Within these states and provinces, the current trend (past ten years) of records book bears appears to be on the up swing.