The annual cycle of a bear can be divided into two distinct periods: the active summer season, when bears can be observed and photographed, and the quiet winter period, during which they hibernate and are rarely seen. The summer season typically lasts from April to October, though occasional variations may occur.
The bear activity calendar below provides a detailed overview of their behavior throughout the year, helping you plan your visit accordingly. The best time for bear watching and photography is during the bright summer months, from late May to early August. During this period, the long daylight hours provide excellent conditions for photography, with light available almost throughout the night.
JANUARY
- The miracle of birth in the middle of winter -
January is the time of core winter. Bears are still hibernating. However, there is still a lot going on in the den. A hibernating bear turns and reacts to its surroundings. Pregnant female bears typically give birth to 1-2 cubs in January-February, sometimes more. The cubs are nourished by their mother's fatty milk during early winter. Due to hibernation, observing and photographing bears is not possible in January.
January is the time of core winter. Bears are still hibernating. However, there is still a lot going on in the den. A hibernating bear turns and reacts to its surroundings. Pregnant female bears typically give birth to 1-2 cubs in January-February, sometimes more. The cubs are nourished by their mother's fatty milk during early winter.
Due to hibernation, observing and photographing bears is not possible in January.
FEBRUARY
- Sleep becomes lighter as spring approaches -
The daylight hours begin to increase significantly, but the bear still continues to hibernate. However, sleep may be more restless and towards the end of the month the bear may wake up more sensitively to sounds from the environment. The remaining pregnant bears will give birth by February at the latest.
Due to hibernation, observing and photographing the bear is not possible.
The daylight hours begin to increase significantly, but the bear still continues to hibernate. However, sleep may be more restless and towards the end of the month the bear may wake up more sensitively to sounds from the environment. The remaining pregnant bears will give birth by February at the latest.
Due to hibernation, observing and photographing the bear is not possible.
MARCH
- Awakening of the light sleepers -
March is the first official month of spring. Winter is beginning to fade and the light is increasing rapidly. If the winter has been mild and March continues to be warm, the first bears may wake up from their hibernation at the end of the month. Observing and photographing a bear may be possible, but not yet very likely. In addition to daytime photography, it is possible to spend the night at a hide.
March is the first official month of spring. Winter is beginning to fade and the light is increasing rapidly. If the winter has been mild and March continues to be warm, the first bears may wake up from their hibernation at the end of the month. Observing and photographing a bear may be possible, but not yet very likely. In addition to daytime photography, it is possible to spend the night at a hide.
APRIL
- Spring awakenings -
In April even the sleepiest bears wake up from their slumber and they actively search for food to make up for the winter's nutritional deficit.
The probability of seeing and photographing a bear is reasonably good due to the increasing daylight. In April, we switch to summer schedules, meaning that you go to the hides during the day and spend the night in the hide. If separately agreed, it is also possible to stay in the hides during the day.
In April, winter loosens its grip more clearly and even the sleepiest bears wake up from their slumber. After a few days of adaptation, they actively search for food to make up for the winter's nutritional deficit. Mother bears also start moving with their cubs. Especially in spring, it is possible to see several bears at the same time searching for food.
The probability of seeing and photographing a bear is reasonably good due to the increasing daylight. In April, we switch to summer schedules, meaning that you go to the hides during the day and spend the night in the hide. If separately agreed, it is also possible to stay in the hides during the day.
MAY
- The most intense time of spring -
In May, the bears' summer starts properly after the winter season. The rutting season, which begins at the end of the month at the latest, changes their behaviour and the males may engage in fierce fights. The probability of observing and photographing a bear is very good. We go to the hide during the day and spend the night in the hide. The morning can be extended a little longer than usual by separate arrangement.
In May, the bears' summer starts properly after the winter season. For now, they can still move around in groups, but the rutting season, which begins at the end of the month at the latest, changes their behaviour and the males may engage in fierce fights.
The probability of observing and photographing a bear is very good. There is enough light until late in the evening and the sun rises early. We go to the hide during the day and spend the night in the hide. The morning can be extended a little longer than usual by separate arrangement.
JUNE
- The beauty of summer is blooming -
Mother bears walk with their cubs, while they curiously explore the summer world. The mother can defend her cubs very aggressively when threatened.
Bears are mostly active at night, but the bright summer night allows for observation and photography around the clock. The probability of observing and photographing a bear is excellent. We move to the hides in the afternoon and stay until the next morning.
Nature is at its most beautiful in June. Mother bears walk with their cubs, while they curiously explore the summer world. The mother can defend her cubs very aggressively when threatened. The bears' rutting season begins in June at the latest.
Bears are mostly active at night, but the bright summer night allows for observation and photography around the clock. The probability of observing and photographing a bear is excellent. We move to the hides in the afternoon and stay until the next morning.
JULY
- Hot midsummer -
In July, bears enjoy the summer and often go swimming whenever possible. The bears' movements are concentrated in the evening and night, but there is still light to observe and photograph bears almost 24 hours a day.
The probability of observing and photographing bears is excellent. Towards the end of the month, the nights begin to get darker. We move to the hides in the afternoon and stay until the next morning.
In July, bears enjoy the summer and often go swimming whenever possible. The bears' movements are concentrated in the evening and night, but there is still light to observe and photograph bears almost 24 hours a day. The rutting season usually ends in late summer, when clashes between males decrease. Bears have delayed fetal development, so the development of cubs does not begin until later in the fall after a successful mating.
The probability of observing and photographing bears is excellent. Towards the end of the month, the nights begin to get darker. We move to the hides in the afternoon and stay until the next morning.
AUGUST
- Warm days and moonlit nights -
In August bears start to gain weight to survive the long winter hibernation period without food. On the other hand, the August heat drives them to the water to cool off, so a bear taking a dip in the water is not an uncommon sight in August either.
The chances of observing and photographing a bear are excellent. We move to the hides in the afternoon and stay until the next morning.
In August, bears' lives calm down after the summer rut. They start to gain weight to survive the long winter hibernation period without food. In autumn, bears seek out berries and crop fields. They still enjoy meat and fish. On the other hand, the August heat drives them to the water to cool off, so a bear taking a dip in the water is not an uncommon sight in August either.
The chances of observing and photographing a bear are excellent. We move to the hides in the afternoon and stay until the next morning.
SEPTEMBER
- Autumn landscapes and refuelling -
In September, bears are already rapidly refuelling their food supply so that they can survive without eating during their hibernation. Towards the end of the month, individual bears begin to reach their largest mass. The probability of observing and photographing bears is good. We move to the hides during the day and stay until the next morning.
In September, bears are already rapidly refuelling their food supply so that they can survive without eating during their hibernation. The bear's diet becomes increasingly rich in berries and grains towards autumn, as sugar-containing food is stored more efficiently as fat in the bear's body. Towards the end of the month, individual bears begin to reach their largest mass.
The probability of observing and photographing bears is good. We move to the hides during the day and stay until the next morning.
OCTOBER
- Fatigue is setting in and winter is approaching -
In October, the first bears retreat to their winter dens to hibernate. Many persist through October, gaining more mass in their bodies. The probability of observing and photographing a bear is moderate to low. The decreasing light and the bears retreating to hibernate shorten the observation time. We smoothly transition into the winter season, i.e. staying in the hides from morning to sunset, or overnight if separately agreed.
In October, the first bears retreat to their winter dens to hibernate. Many persist through October, gaining more mass in their bodies. A bear does not always build a winter den, but may lie down under a dense spruce. However, bears often dig their winter dens in an anthill, at the base of a spruce, or under some kind of bank. The probability of observing and photographing a bear is moderate to low. The decreasing light and the bears retreating to hibernate shorten the observation time. We smoothly transition into the winter season, i.e. staying in the hides from morning to sunset, or overnight if separately agreed.
NOVEMBER
- Sleep wins and winter takes over -
Typically, the first snow falls in Lieksa no later than November. Then even the last bears go to sleep. Nature becomes quiet to wait for winter. The light decreases significantly during the month.
The probability of observing and photographing a bear is low. The majority of bears are already in hibernation and the rest will head there during the current month.
Typically, the first snow falls in Lieksa no later than November. Then even the last bears go to sleep. Nature becomes quiet to wait for winter. The light decreases significantly during the month.
The probability of observing and photographing a bear is low. The majority of bears are already in hibernation and the rest will head there during the current month.
DECEMBER
- The darkest and sleepiest time -
The bears' hibernation deepens. The den is peaceful, warm and quiet. The bears may react somewhat to life outside the den, but they usually do not wake up outside the den. The development of the bear cubs is already well underway in the wombs of their expectant mothers. However, the birth of the cubs is still awaited.
Due to the hibernation period, the bear cannot be observed or photographed in December.
The bears' hibernation deepens. The den is peaceful, warm and quiet. The bears may react somewhat to life outside the den, but they usually do not wake up outside the den. The development of the bear cubs is already well underway in the wombs of their expectant mothers. However, the birth of the cubs is still awaited.
Due to the hibernation period, the bear cannot be observed or photographed in December.
