Just curious

[quadrafire]

How deep of a cave or protected area does a bear need for hibernation in the northeast part of the state? With all of the bears around, I would think there could be some competition for den sites.
Any Comments?

[KillBilly]

Bears do not necessarily need a cave. Any type of shelter that will shelter them can be used. They may chose a hollow tree,stump, or under several blow down trees. Anyplace that  provides protection from most of the elements has and can be used.

[robescc]

I have found two dens in all my time hiking and hunting.  Both were in the same drainage.  The bears had both dug out under rotten stumps. It looked nice and dry in them.  I was told that a bear will never hibernate in the same spot/den. Any truth to that?

[quadrafire]

Thanks guys. I hadn't thought about stumps. I figured they needed to be deeper. I guess if they get a bunch of snow over them so much the better for insulation.

[saylean]

Here is one I found last year...or what I thought was one...

[rasbo]

heres one,I didnt feel at ease taking the pic,not sure why just didnt

[billythekidrock]

Here is a shallow den.


And one that is open on one side and the top.

[1bowhunter1]

BTKR What is the 3rd pic of?  What unit?  I will avoid that area!!  Dont want to run in to that thing...

[Kain]

Yeah he definitely has that "Im too sexy for this den" look on his face.  Imagine walking along and seeing that.  Some guy in a hollowed out stump giving you that "come hither" look.  

[robb92]

Yeah he definitely has that "Im too sexy for this den" look on his face.  Imagine walking along and seeing that.  Some guy in a hollowed out stump giving you that "come hither" look.  

LMAO!!!!!

[billythekidrock]

Yeah he definitely has that "Im too sexy for this den" look on his face.  Imagine walking along and seeing that.  Some guy in a hollowed out stump giving you that "come hither" look.   

Don't think you can resist. It works everytime!

[Kain]

 

[shoot-em-dead]

I knew something was watching me

[runamuk]

heres one,I didnt feel at ease taking the pic,not sure why just didnt

hell Rasbo I know of a spot that looks a lot like that and when I jumped over the log and saw it well I about jumped out of my skin, thank god it was mid summer and no one was home....

OMG BTKR that is funny....

I need to get pics of the one I stumbled across....hey Rasbo wanna come help me  you can check for occupants

[Kain]

Yeah he definitely has that "Im too sexy for this den" look on his face.  Imagine walking along and seeing that.  Some guy in a hollowed out stump giving you that "come hither" look.   

Don't think you can resist. It works everytime!

Hey isnt that the same guy that like to hit on mangy coyotes?    

[MtnMuley]

I would say that 8" would be sufficient from what I saw today.  I was coyote hunting at 900' elevation and found a bear appearing to hibernate in a hole he dug next to a pine tree.  Latest bear I've seen above the ground.