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Some climb to caves in rocky areas.
Some in large rotten logs
Some in the side of an earthen cliff with a natural overhang... that makes a natural den.
Most common, are places that are at least 30 ft in walk-in depth to be out of the way of wind.
Yes came across one last night while me and 2 buddys were walkin down the road to the fire station, wasnt hibernating though. Three of us one of it, just a fence seperating (barbed wire, coulda gone through that in a second) Just kept the flashlight in its eyes as we backed away. If one charges though, ya just gotta play dead and they should leave ya alone. If not I had a big spray can of brake cleaner to at least leave its eyes stingin while rippin me apart lol.
That was not 3 hours after we nailed a deer driving over there. I love living in the country!
O and by the way they hibernate at the base of large trees also. People think they literally "fall asleep" when actually they just get really sluggish and their vital signs drop to the absolute minimum levels.
sure they usually dig a big hole or a cave i have see them when im snowmachining before. thats how it is in alaska i dont know about anywhere else ive never woke one up before so you dont have to worry its not like the movies
i came across one in hibernation while walking in my woods last winter, it was just under some downed trees that were on a side hill, i guess the hill was a wind block and the trees were somewhat of shelter. i always thought they would be totally hidden but he or she was right there balled up under the trees, it was one of the coolest things i have ever seen!
We have a lot of bears around here. That question is always a little bit of a worry when I'm in the woods in winter. I'm afraid that they might be a little bit grumpy if you woke one up.
Loggers or wood getters have been known to saw into a denned bear. Happened here a year or so ago. They saved the bear too.
In heavy snow areas, a bear will lay down under a log and let it bury him in snow, getting enough air through the powder, evidently. They'll park their carcass in some interesting spots, for sure.
And here all this time growing up watching Yogi, here I thought they lived in cabins in the woods when the owners were gone. OH... yeah... they do that too. You should see what the park service does to close up cabins in the back country. Heavy boarded doors and windows with a zillion heavy nails sticking out, so they can't claw their way in. Works too. But the un nailed spots get scratched rather regular. And way UP there.
Sometimes I wish I were still healthy enough to be working for the park service again. What a job that was. Then I messed up my back for good and ended that one. Sigh... wish I could hibernate sometimes.