Black bears spend most of the colder months in hibernation. In order to survive the long winters of the north woods of Minnesota they spend a great deal of time in late summer and fall eating. With bear cubs, this time can be especially critical in order to gain sufficient weight to survive the coming season. Still, they find the time to play and socialize between meals. Mothers will often send cubs up trees for protection while the go off to feed. They can spend many hours in a tree. But, they will not come down until they get the proper call from their mother.