Bears hibernate because there is no food available to them, not because of the cold; thus, hibernation is an important survival strategy for them.
They will typically hibernate for three to five months on B.C.'s south coast and for longer periods (five to seven months) in the Interior.
As bears prepare for hibernation (typically in November or December in the Tri-Cities), it's important to eliminate all food attractants to ensure they don't hang around or decide to stay awake for the winter.
Without only about six months to build up fat reserves, black bears must eat a great deal of food. They are particularly attracted to foods that are abundant and high in protein and calories and that they can get with little effort.
Bears may not necessarily travel far to hibernate and will burrow under stumps and logs in the mountainous terrain and greenbelts.
