Is Yogi up from his nap yet?

[MP123]

Anyone seeing any bears? 

This crazy warm weather has got me wondering if there's any running around yet.  I didn't see any out east this weekend but it was about 60 degrees and sunny, not really hibernating weather.

[h20hunter]

Just pulled my cam cards in the Monroe area....no bears on cam. Yotes, deer, bobcat, yellow lab....no Yogi.

[Jonathan_S]

Remember a lot of nature's cycles are based on light patterns.  It's warm but there isn't available food.  Bears eat grass in the spring and there still isn't enough grass to feed a hungry bear yet   

[jackelope]

Do bears really hibernate on the west side?

[CAMPMEAT]

The grass is starting to sprout and the trees are already showing signs of turning green too.. The snow is pretty much gone except in the mountains and some logging roads in the canyons.....I applied for my spring bear tag.

[Southpole]

Do bears really hibernate on the west side?

Good question...

[JackOfAllTrades]

Do bears really hibernate on the west side?

Yup!  Mountain black bears do hibernate on the west side. We have snow up north... Not as much as we should have, but we do have snow above 4,000'. Many dens above that elevation are certainly snowed in.  Lowland bears take 'extended sleeps'.  Shortened terms of hibernation where they'll wake up once in a while. Come out to get rid of waste, feed on what's available, go back to sleep. Seeing a blacky up here before March is pretty rare.  And I'm talking just 60 miles north of highway 2.  Like that's way north.. No, it's not.   

-Steve

[jdb]

I saw fresh bear sign the last week in January and again last weekend

[JackOfAllTrades]

Recent trail reports:

"Up at Twin Lakes, I estimate the snow depth is about 2-3 feet - you could see just the top of the signs"  (That's 5,000')

" Once you reach the pass, if you would like to reach Excelsior Peak, you will DEFINITELY NEED snowshoes." (The peak is 5,700', but the pass is about 4,900')

I know people are snow shoeing at Artist point.

-Steve

[jackelope]

Do bears really hibernate on the west side?

Yup!  Mountain black bears do hibernate on the west side. We have snow up north... Not as much as we should have, but we do have snow above 4,000'. Many dens above that elevation are certainly snowed in.  Lowland bears take 'extended sleeps'.  Shortened terms of hibernation where they'll wake up once in a while. Come out to get rid of waste, feed on what's available, go back to sleep. Seeing a blacky up here before March is pretty rare.  And I'm talking just 60 miles north of highway 2.  Like that's way north.. No, it's not.   

-Steve

I was standing at about 4000' one week ago when I took this picture.

[Yelper Guy]

I agree Jonathan - the light patterns don't promote coming out of hibernation yet & there is very little  to eat. The temperatures however would surely have them stirring, maybe even a short walk-about?

[h20hunter]

I think they do get up and about from time to time. Maybe Saylean....maybe Billythekidrock....somebody posted a pic of fresh bear tracks in the snow.

[Biggerhammer]

Had sow tracks with a couple Cubs right down the center of the driveway the other morning on Badger Mtn in Douglas County.

[blackveltbowhunter]

Dunno how much it varies from region to region, ( I assume quite a bit )I have heard of guys seeing them in January in Lewis county. But have never seen any myself that early. This pic was this weekend but was taken in  Southern Oregon. By his behavior I'm assuming he was just out from a den, he was groggy and acted punch drunk. Still cool to see.

[jay.sharkbait]

I read some of the collars are starting to move.