How does Fresh Snow Impact Bear Behavior?

[BowBaboon]

With many of the western mountain ranges having incredibly low snowpacks and bears allegedly already being on the move, how might a light snowfall (3-4") change bear behavior? Will they move to lower elevations to find forage in areas without snow? Stay in the same place and "shovel" snow out of the way?

Any thoughts or input on the matter would be appreciated!

 

[PathFinder]

They generally stay in the same place. If it's early season, they may just go back to the den until it melts and the weather warms up. Late season, they'll take cover until the snow quits and come back out when it gets warm and starts to melt.

 

[Kow]

Three or four inches usually does not send spring bears to a whole new zip code by itself. More often it slows them down for a day, makes tracks easier to cut, and pushes them toward the first south-facing green feed or exposed edges once it starts melting. If it stacks on top of cold temps for several days, then I would drop elevation, but on a light spring dusting I would still be glassing the same general country and keying on whatever opens first.

 

[bigbassfish]

I'll be starting my spring season here in a few hours... Winter storm warning calling for some accumulation but we'll see what happens. Supposed to be cold and windy but the bears have been out and it's better than working right? More than likely we'll be hunkered down along side them for the worst of it but hoping to be in a good spot when the weather breaks this weekend and they start moving more.