Video: Black Bears Scale Cliff

by
posted on April 30, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
wilder_ah2015_fs.jpg (10)

When push comes to shove, I probably write more about bears for this blog than about any other game animal. The species as a whole just seems to have a penchant for finding its way into an entertaining breed of trouble. I've written about bears climbing ropes, bears stealing dumpsters and bears stopping by the bar for a drink. Today, we have bears climbing a rock face.

A video that's making its round on the web shows two bears, identified as Mexican black bears by the video's owner, scaling a cliff at the base of the Santa Elena Canyon, in Texas' Big Bend National Park. Mexican black bears, as you might imagine, are a subspecies of the greater black bear family. They're quite endangered—but a handful has been known to call Big Bend National Park home.

In this case, the video shows an adult bear and a cub gradually making their way up the cliff. As to what they're after at the top, I can't imagine. After a bit of a struggle, even the cub's able to reach safer ground. The person behind the video camera has some fun with it, though. I'd encourage you to give it a look.

Check out the action for yourself in the video embedded below.

Latest

LEDE
LEDE

Trust Your Gut: Deer Hunting Tips from the Stand

Field Editor Bryce Towsley gets a little help in “his” Mississippi stand.

Remembering Former NRA President Robert Corbin

Robert Corbin, a former NRA president and Arizona attorney general, died of natural causes on Sept. 9, 2025, at 97 years old.

Hardware Review: Stealth Vision Tactical SVT 3-18x44mm

Jeff Johnston dives into the Stealth Vision Tactical SVT 3-18x44mm. Check out his thorough review below.

Top 10 New Hunting Rifles for 2025

As the year draws to its inevitable close, we asked Philip Massaro to select his top 10 favorite rifles that debuted in 2025. Without any further adieu, let’s dive into the list.

The 4 Classic Hunting Platforms

Andi Bogard takes a look at the classic actions and platforms that laid the foundation for today’s hunting rifles.

Conservation Partners Launch Novel Turkey Nesting Research

Predator populations—nest raiders and full-feathered turkey killers alike—are growing across the United States. To determine if their increasing numbers are a leading cause of wild turkey population declines, Turkeys For Tomorrow (TFT) has announced a groundbreaking study on predator impacts on nesting and poult-rearing success.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.