Classified as a carnivore (i.e., meat-eating animal) by taxonomists, Louisiana black bears are not usually active predators and rarely prey on vertebrate animals. There are many stories of bears feeding on nutria and other furbearers caught in traps during the days when fur trapping was a viable vocation.

There have been no reports of Louisiana black bears preying on livestock or pets in recent history.  Bears are better described as opportunistic feeders as they eat almost anything that is available, thus they are more typically omnivorous.

Growth rate, maximum size, breeding age, litter size, and cub survival of black bears are all linked to nutrition.  Bears spend a considerable amount of time foraging for food, using their keen sense of smell to locate food sources. Feeding signs are usually evident in areas of bear activity, including torn logs, broken saplings, clawed trees, and trampled food plants.  Bears utilize all levels of the forest for feeding, from the forest floor to the treetops. Excellent climbers, they can gather foods from treetops and vines.

After emerging from dens in spring, bears may initially be in a “semi-fasting” state as they continue to utilize remaining fat reserves. Food is relatively scarce during this period and weight loss is often more rapid than during denning.  Succulent vegetation is first utilized for food and then foods such as residual hard mast (acorns, pecans, etc.), agricultural crops, and insects are consumed.

With the arrival of summer, soft mast including dewberries, blackberries, wild grapes, elderberry, persimmon, pokeweed, devil’s walking stick, thistle, and palmetto become staples in the bear's diet. 

In the fall, hard mast such as acorns and pecans, is a particularly important fat and carbohydrate-rich food source that provides the fat reserves necessary for bears to enter the denning period in proper health. Bears exhibit their most rapid weight gain during fall. 

Agricultural crops supplement natural foods and can be very important food sources throughout the year, especially in areas of extremely fragmented habitat and high bear density.  For example, corn is an important forage crop for the large number of bears inhabiting the Epps Plantation tracts in Madison Parish, Louisiana.

Bears will readily take advantage of food opportunities provided by man. Besides crops from both commercial and residential plantings, bears can get into trouble for foraging in garbage and pet foods. In areas where bears are present, it is important for measures to be taken to prevent access to these tempting foods.