The population and range of the Louisiana black bear ( Ursus americanus luteolus) is growing. A survey was conducted December 2010 to June 2011 in seven Louisiana parishes within the occupied range of the Louisiana black bear to gain insight into the attitudes of those living in close proximity to Louisiana black bears. Results may be useful for comparison to the attitudes of those who live in East Texas, and other areas in which bear population recovery may take place.

Consistent with previous research, results indicate those who are male, have higher incomes, live in the coastal region, and are Caucasian have more positive attitudes concerning black bears; those who are older, less educated, have experienced property damage, and are African American have more negative attitudes. In particular, those respondents from Tensas Parish, who were the most knowledgeable about bears but had the lowest mean score on the Black Bear Attitude Index, may need to be a focus for efforts made by wildlife management agencies because of their close proximity to the Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge. Additionally, the demographic predictors described, especially those consistent with previous research, should be utilized by wildlife management agencies both in Louisiana and Texas, to determine which population segments to focus information and education resources.