Tag: Black bears

Weary Yellowstone bear shown ‘tucking self in’ for hibernation

Footage shows a very sleepy black bear gathering extra bedding material before resuming its long winter nap.

The Yellowstone Safari Company on Saturday shared heartwarming footage showing a sleepy black bear gathering material just outside its den before resuming its long winter nap.

“Have you ever seen a bear tuck themself in for their winter hibernation?” guide Grant T. Johnson asked via Instagram. (Footage posted below.)

Johnson explained that his group was “very lucky” to have encountered the bear Friday as it emerged to seek extra insulation material in the form of twigs and other debris.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDE-_BCp3Yn/

The guide explained: “Bears aren’t true hibernators, in the most technical sense of the term, but rather enter a state of torpor, or extreme inactivity, in the winter. Still, it’s unusual to see them emerge from their dens at all once they tuck in during autumn.

“Sleep well, little buddy, and we’ll see you in the spring.”

According to Yellowstone National Park, most bears have entered their dens by mid-November, “although some males remain active through December before hibernating.”

Bears in the Greater Yellowstone area typically begin to emerge from their dens in early February, and most bears have left their dens by early May.

Male bears tend to abandon their dens much earlier than female bears with cubs.

Maryland hunters go the extra mile to illegally bait bears

Nine hunters were cited for violating the ban during the recent five-day season; some had spread out a virtual smorgasbord.

Authorities in Maryland cited nine hunters for illegally using bait during the state’s recent five-day season for black bears.

But it was the extent of baiting and variety of items that stood out in a news release issued Friday by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

One hunter was issued two citations after he admitted to hunting from a stand overlooking an area baited with bacon grease, chicken grease, corn, molasses, vanilla icing, and licorice.

As if that weren’t enough, the hunter also possessed an illegal “bear bomb” spray to help lure bears to within shooting range.

In another case, two hunters were cited after hunting from separate stands over an area baited with cracked corn kernels and grease or lard spread onto a tree trunk near their stands.

Two other hunters, including an 84-year-old, hunted over a site baited with corn dispersed as close as 10 yards from their elevated blinds.

Another hunter was found to have used bacon grease, corn, apple peelings, and apple processing waste placed between 23 and 50 yards from his blind.

In yet another case, two hunters from Pennsylvania were cited for utilizing a site baited with dog food, animal carcasses, apples, syrup, strawberry jam, and shelled corn.

It was made clear before this year’s hunt, which concluded Oct. 26, that the use of bait or hunting near previously baited areas was prohibited. (The use of bait while hunting white-tailed deer is legal on private property in Maryland.)

According to the Maryland DNR, 950 hunters were randomly selected via lottery to participate in the annual black bear hunting season.

The nine who were cited face fines of up to $1,500 for a first violation, and up to $4,000 if there was a second violation.

Maryland hunters harvest 125 black bears during six-day season

“Hunters enjoyed a week of trekking through western Maryland’s mountains pursuing one of the state’s most elusive game species.”

Maryland hunters harvested 125 black bears during a six-day season that concluded Saturday.

According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the harvest tally was higher than the five-year average of 104 bears.

Gender breakdown: 73 female and 52 male black bears.

The state’s 21st annual hunt was conducted in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. The heaviest black bear, shot in Frederick County, weighed 650 pounds.

Said Karina Stonesifer, director of the MDNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service:

“Many hunters enjoyed a week of trekking through western Maryland’s mountains pursuing one of the state’s most elusive game species. The state’s bear hunting season is an essential part of the management strategy to mitigate human-bear conflict throughout the expanding black bear range.”

Trail-cam footage shows bears ‘foreplaying’ in Yukon forest

The cinnamon-colored black bear seemed the more passive of the two, but is shown pouncing on the darker bear directly in front of the camera.

A trail camera in Canada’s Yukon Territory has captured a what appears to have been a playful moment between two black bears on a remote forest trail.

The footage, shared recently by Yukon Wildlife Cams, involves fairly large black bears, one of them cinnamon-colored.

The darker bear seems to be putting the moves on the lighter bear at the outset. But at  20 seconds, as the darker bear begins to continue down the trail, the lighter bear pounces from behind.

This interaction occurs directly in front of the camera.

David Troup, who positions and monitors a network of cameras in the Yukon wilderness, stated in his description:

“In just a ten hour window in mid-June, a pair of differently colored black bears playing, or foreplaying, a nighttime lynx, and an early morning moose visited this site.”

The lynx and moose are shown after the bear scuffle.

‘Insane’ black bear fight caught on video in Yukon wilderness

“The speed and power is mind-blowing. You can see some of the blows delivered knock each other off their feet.”

Do bears practice MMA in the woods?

The accompanying footage, captured recently in Canada’s Yukon Territory, shows two massive black bears fighting on a wilderness road.

“Bearing witness to one of nature’s rarest sights,” hunting outfitter Jim Shockey exclaimed via X. “The spring rut is in full swing, and the big boars are on the warpath.”

The ferocious bout includes roundhouse punches and wrestling techniques as each bruin attempts to gain the upper hand.

“Bear closest to the camera has got a serious right hook,” one follower observed. “Ducks when he throws it, too, my money’s on him.”

The footage was credited to Rogue River Outfitters Yukon, which apparently led the May 2 expedition.

“INSANE BLACK BEAR FIGHT!” the company exclaimed, describing the confrontation as a territorial dispute. “The speed and power is mind-blowing. You can see some of the blows delivered knock each other off their feet.”

Adult male black bears can weigh 500-plus pounds and stand 7 feet tall on their hind legs, so any battle between fully grown bears is a heavyweight match.

Rogue River Outfitters Yukon added:

“Fights like this are rare to observe but they do happen frequently, especially in areas where the density of bears is high. The wars are more intense if the food supply is limited or during the mating season.”

The soundless footage was captured through the vehicle’s windshield.

Bear cubs scale Colorado ski-lift tower as onlookers watch in awe

Footage from a Colorado ski resort shows the two young black bears ascending the gondola structure via its ladder.

Bear cubs love to climb and apparently their skills aren’t restricted to trees.

The accompanying footage shows two young black bears scaling the Wild Blue Gondola lift tower at Steamboat Ski Resort in Colorado.

“The bears are climbing the tower,” an employee deadpans through a radio speaker in the footage.

To which comes the reply: “You better be taking videos.”

Onlookers are clearly entertained, while the bears appear comfortable scaling the massive structure… to a point.

The footage shows them stopping, dozens of yards above ground, before one cub begins the precarious task of descending the ladder, rung by rung.

“It’s OK, they’re using lobster claws,” the first employee jokes, referring to belaying ropes used by human climbers.

One onlooker wonders aloud why momma bear is allowing two of her cubs to put themselves in danger.

But black bear cubs begin to climb trees almost instinctively early in life. They probably climbed the tower out of a playful curiosity.

The Wild Blue Gondola takes resort visitors 3.16 miles from the base of the resort to the top of the mountain.

The footage was captured by Sharon Spiegel and shared by Steamboat Radio.

Watch: Yellowstone bear cub crosses river on mom’s back

A guide in Yellowstone National Park has captured adorable footage showing a black bear cub hitching a ride across the Lamar River on mom’s back.

Black bears can easily navigate rivers, but cubs sometimes require mom’s help.

The accompanying footage, captured by Yellowstone Wolf Tracker guide Michelle Holihan, shows a cub crossing the Lamar River on mom’s back and leaping from her shoulders onto the opposite shore.

“What’s the best way to get across the cold Lamar River?” Yellowstone Wolf Tracker asked followers via Instagram. “Hitch a ride on mom!

“We spotted this black bear in the river but her two cubs were hesitant to cross so she went back to get them and one of them climbed onboard for the crossing.”

The Lamar River, a tributary of the Yellowstone River, spans 44 miles through wildlife-rich portions of Yellowstone National Park.

According to the National Park Service, the Lamar River and Lamar Valley are named after Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar, Secretary of the Interior under President Grover Cleveland from 1885 to 1888.

–Image is a video screen shot

Momma bear persuades cubs to scale wall in adorable footage

A Colorado Springs motorist has captured footage showing three bear cubs trying to scale a rock wall in order to join momma bear.

A Colorado Springs motorist has captured footage showing three bear cubs trying to scale a rock wall in order to join momma bear.

In the KKTV 11 News footage, captured by Jeremy Johnson, momma black bear has already scaled the wall and is encouraging her cubs to follow.

But the roadside wall is steep and the tiny cubs are new at climbing.

Momma bear seems to realizes this, and is about to descend the wall when one cub safely scrambles up and over.


This seems to inspire the other cubs, one of which follows the route taken by the first cub.

Rooting them on, Johnson says in the video, “Come on little guys, you can do it. Climb! Climb!”

Mission accomplished, the bear family continues its adventure safely off the road, albeit in somebody’s yard.

Reads the top comment beneath the KKTV 11 post:

“So smart. That second one saw where the first one went and moved there. This is so cute. Nothing like life in the Springs.”

Another popular comment: “Awww… such a good lesson here too… Sometimes we gotta let them figure it out.”

Watch: Fighting bears resemble WWE combatants, but really mean it

A man was driving up a mountain road in Tennessee when a WWE fight broke out and halted traffic. Two black bears brawled in the road.

Tom Haviland was driving up a mountain road in Tennessee when a WWE fight broke out and halted traffic. The combatants were black bears, and they appeared to be fighting for real, as captured in video taken by Haviland.

By the end of the tussle, both combatants were huffing and puffing, and clearly ready for a long break.

Also on FTW Outdoors: Bear strikes tourist in Alaska in ‘extremely rare’ city encounter

“Bears communicate their dominance by intimidating their opponent,” BearSmart.com writes. “Bears do not fight with each other unless it’s absolutely necessary. Fight risks injury, and that is not the bear’s objective. It’s all about posturing.”

In this encounter, which occurred August 4 in Gatlinburg, they were possibly posturing over a food source or a mate. But this we know: The battle could have used a referee.

Watch: Enormous black bears brawl on Tennessee road

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency on Wednesday shared footage of a ferocious brawl between two large black bears that included an impressive takedown by the apparent victor.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency on Wednesday shared footage of a ferocious brawl between two large black bears that included an impressive takedown by the apparent victor.

The footage, captured this week from the safety of a garage near Ely’s Mill in Gatlinburg, shows what appears to be the slightly larger bear dominating the battle after a swift and violent takedown.

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Yellowstone bison has no patience for law-breaking tourist; video 

The battle, which showcases the remarkable power and agility possessed by black bears, ends with the vanquished bruin running off at 36 seconds.

Ely’s Mill stated on Facebook that the footage was captured by guests Billie Jo and Micah Campbell.

The top comment beneath the post: “Wow, and to think some people think it is okay to get out of their vehicles and approach them. They toss each other around like it is nothing. Can you imagine what they could do to a person?”

It’s not entirely clear why the bears were fighting, but the TWRA stated on Facebook:

“While it’s a little bit early for bears to engage in battle for dominance during breeding season, we believe it may have been a dispute over a food source considering the size of both animals.”

–Image courtesy of Ely’s Mill