Quote:

---

Larger diameter trees the bear cannot hug and shinny up, are quite difficult for them. Hugging diameter trees are easier.
Trees requiring hooked and sharp claws are too difficult. Trees with large heavy weight bearing branches are piece of cake if they can reach the branches.

There have been more than a few guys pulled from a tree by a grizzly.

---

As shown in the photos (and witnessed firsthand many, many times by me), the Black Bears of this area (Southwestern Sierra Nevada foothills) make short work of telephone poles and oaks of several times that diameter. They can just skitter up those suckers, too.

The last known (confirmed) Grizzly in these parts was shot dead in August of 1922.

The California Grizzly once ranged throughout the state.
Okay, they weren't quite as large as pictured here.

They are all gone now, some ended up like this:


California Grizz:
Yo Bears

Last Grizz in Orange County:
O C Grizz

Western Grizz:
Grizz West