On my Alberta spring black bear hunt in June of 2025, during the bear rut testosterone laden male bears wander widely in search of receptive females and non-receptive females alike. Male bears, I submit are much more aggressive during this time, often climbing up to my tree stand with me in it. Below, a big cinnamon sow, checking me out.  

I did not observe active aggression however but my hunting friend did.

A smaller male was harassing a larger female with cubs below.

The female sent her cubs up a tree and she turned on the smaller male and chased it up a tree. The smaller male would come down and approach the female again. She wanted no part of that young testosterone laden boar and she chased him again until the male bear observed my friend in a nearby tree stand.

All of a sudden the young aggressive male decided to climb into my friends wooden stand and attempt to attack him. He had a bow and arrow and a back up rifle. He was forced to shoot the .270 rifle over the bear to get him to leave. The bear left  for 30 minutes and came back to continue his aggressive behavior. Finally my friend got safely away with his guide.

I am no expert on bear behavior but can’t help observing and discussing bear behavior with Alberta bear guides who observe lone male bears who often bluff charge at baiting sites and getting within feet of the armed guide. 

Fact: Large Bears have to eat a lot of food to stay large. Small bears have to eat a lot of food to get large. I submit, that at certain times everything is on the menu, even other bears.  

Having said that, in spring time moose and deer have young who are on the bears meat menu. During this time there is little to eat except these young animals. Older bears learn the cycles of nature and take advantage of fresh meat. In fall, bears look to top off their fat reserves for approaching winter. Below, a New Jersey group of student encounter a sizable bear and begin to photograph him. The bear got closer and closer. The students were then afraid and scattered. The bear was then in pursuit of prey at that point. Below is the article where one student was missing when they reconnoitered. 

https://nypost.com/2014/11/25/hiker-took-cell-phone-pictures-of-bear-before-deadly-attack/

Large or small, a bears claws are extremely sharp and can do great damage to subdue its prey. It is wise as a bear hunter to understand that you are hunting a very intelligent apex predator. 

A few days later, i encountered the smaller Alberta bear on my last hunting day. I sent an arrow through him at 20 yards. In a flash, he climbed 20 feet up a nearby tree and the arrow did its job and the bear fell 20 feet quite dead. My friend was so happy I killed that aggressive bear! He called him “Angry Bear”!

Hunt Safely

© Copyright 2026. All Rights Reserved.