When Do Bears Hibernate? Den and Feeder Dates by State

Yes, though not the way a squirrel or a bat does. BearWise, the bear program state wildlife agencies run: “A bear’s metabolism, heartbeat and respiration rate drops dramatically, but its body temperatures only drops about 12 degrees during hibernation.” And: “So many scientists now call bears “Super Hibernators” because they can fall into a deep sleep for four to six months without eating or drinking, wake up in the spring and head back out into the world.”

October to January, later in the South. Den entry starts in November in 25 states, in October in 15 and in December in 2. Pregnant females go in first and males last. NJ Fish and Wildlife: “Males may not enter dens until December.”

March to May. Bears start waking in March in 35 states and in April in 7. Males come out first and mothers with new cubs last. Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks: “Upon emerging from the den, the reverse is seen, with males becoming active first, and females who have recently given birth being the last to end their denning season.”

When bears start waking. Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York say April 1; Alaska, Vermont and West Virginia say mid March; Idaho, Michigan and Missouri say April; Rhode Island says March 31. Elsewhere the rule is BearWise's: “When bears are active, the best option is to remove bird feeders.”

Once bears are in their dens. Michigan, Missouri, Vermont and Wyoming say December; Alaska, Maine and Rhode Island say November 1; New Hampshire and New Jersey say December 1; Idaho says mid November. New Hampshire Fish and Game: “Don't begin feeding the birds again prior to December 1 or the onset of prolonged winter weather (the birds will do just fine).” Where bears den late and wake early, the window is short: in North Carolina, by NC Wildlife's den and wake months, only about four weeks, from early February to early March, and NC Wildlife says male bears in North Carolina's coastal plain may stay active all winter.

They den, more lightly and for less time. NC Wildlife: “In North Carolina, den entry can occur as early as November or as late as January, though male bears in the coastal plain region may [be] active throughout winter.” Florida Fish and Wildlife: “In Florida, while males and females that are not pregnant may den in dense vegetation for only a few weeks or a month, pregnant females must den for the winter to have cubs.”

Give it room. A denned bear wakes easily. NJ Fish and Wildlife: “While in torpor black bears are capable of being easily awakened if disturbed and they may leave their dens on mild winter days in search of food.” Texas Parks and Wildlife: “Bears will typically move on if they are given space and if nearby attractants are secured, such as garbage, pet food, bird feeders, and deer feeders.”

In the den, in January or February, while the mother sleeps. BearWise: “An average of two to three cubs are born in the den in January/February.” Pennsylvania Game Commission: “Females give birth to cubs during early January while in the winter den.”