The Big Yawn- Emerging from Hibernation

By: Katelyn Parker

Each spring Wyoming’s hibernating creatures emerge from their dens and venture out into the world looking for food to replenish their stores. The most well-known of our hibernating inhabitants is, of course, the Grizzly and Black bear. Usually in March, the boars will emerge from their dens, followed by females with cubs in April. If it has been a mild winter bears may cut their hibernation period short, coming out of hibernation as early as February. The first bear sightings or tracks is an indicator that spring is here.

 Waking Up

During hibernation, a bear goes through anatomical changes that allows them to sleep consistently, without having to wake, through the winter months. Bears in hibernation do not eat, defecate, or urinate. Their breathing and heart rate slows to preserve energy and their dens a designed to maintain heat despite the negative temperatures outside. The bear will live off its fat stores for an average of 5 months, waking up leaner than when they went in. In the spring, the bear emerges from its snow-covered den and makes its way to lower elevations in search of food and water. The males come out of hibernation first, most often in March but depending on the severity of the winter, it could be as early as February. Later in the spring the females with cubs will emerge, showing their cubs the world for the first time.

 The Bears Spring Agenda

Finding food is of the utmost importance to the bear when they emerge from hibernation. They seek out any kind of sustenance they can including spring vegetation, winter-killed deer, elk, or moose and they can be seen fishing the rivers and streams. Mating season starts in the springs and concludes in July, so the bear is looking for sustenance to prepare for next fall’s hibernation and they are seeking a mate. Mothers with new cubs are trying to teach their young cubs the ways of the world and keep them safe from other predators so they are on high alert. The spring agenda for a bear is a busy one and it is best to try to stay out of their way.

 Things to Consider

When adventuring through your local wilderness in the spring, be bear aware. After emerging from hibernation, bears are eager to find sources of food and are desperate to protect their young. If you have questions regarding bear safety and which habitats to be wary of, contact your local Game & Fish department to learn more about how to stay safe and out of harm’s way. Always carry bear spray when you are out adventuring, even if you don’t think the bears will be out of hibernation. Better to be safe than sorry.

If you catch sight of a bear paw print in the snow, it represents a fair reminder that spring is here and warmer weather is right around the corner. Share you first bear sightings with us and tag us on social media @LiveWYldMag and use #LiveWYld