by Guy Page
Vermont Fish and Wildlife is sharing a rare glimpse of black bear behavior in the Green Mountain State, thanks to a trail camera photo submitted by a sharp-eyed wildlife watcher in Addison County.
The striking image shows an adult female black bear (a “sow”) traveling ahead of a massive male bear (a “boar”)—a pairing seen only during the brief black bear mating season, which runs from May through July in Vermont.
“It’s not often you see two mature bears together like this,” the department said in a social media post. “Outside of a sow and her cubs, this is a relatively rare capture!”
The photo clearly highlights the difference in appearance between the sexes: the boar’s large head and shoulders give him a more robust build, while the sow appears slimmer by comparison. Field biologists point out that a boar’s nose and ears often seem smaller against his bulkier frame, whereas a sow’s features are proportionally larger.
Springtime Reminder: Leave Baby Rabbits Be
In a separate reminder, Fish and Wildlife is asking Vermonters to give baby rabbits their space. This time of year, residents may stumble upon small, motionless young rabbits seemingly alone in lawns or garden beds. But don’t worry—they’re likely just waiting for their mother.
“Mother rabbits leave their young hidden in plain sight and return only at dawn and dusk to nurse them,” the department explained. “It may look like they’ve been abandoned, but they haven’t.”
If you find a rabbit nest—often marked by a patch of dead grass in the middle of a lawn—Fish and Wildlife recommends keeping pets and children away from the area for a couple of days to give the young time to mature and move on. Accidentally disturbed a nest? It’s okay to gently return the rabbits with gloved hands and leave them be.
Whether it’s two rare adult bears on the move or a hidden nest of baby bunnies, Vermont’s wildlife is active and on the move this season. Wildlife officials encourage the public to observe from a distance—and share their photos responsibly.