do bear in the north west hibernate?

[bowtekhunter]

i was wondering, because i got to thinkin bout it and we really dont get thet hard of winters on the pacific coast (oregon,washingtion) do they just feed all year long? and wich is the best time to hunt black bear? spring or fall season?

 

[dahermit]

Bears do not go into true hibernation. They enter dens when food is scarce in the Winter, sleep a lot. However, if you were foolish enough to enter their den, you would find that they can be awakened and a bit grumpy (I do not know about polar bears however). Whereas, small, true hibernating animals can be handled and examined without waking, appear to be dead, heart beats extremely slow. I would suspect that the bears in areas where there is no snow and warmer temperatures may be active year around.