The mating game. In early spring, as bears come out of hibernation, females without cubs or those with older cubs who are ready to be on their own will typically go into estrus. It is not uncommon to see a female accompanied by a male - or males- in slow motion pursuit. She may mate with several males and carry the fertilized eggs/blastocysts in stasis until hibernation, at which point, her body decides whether she can sustain the pregnancy - as well as the number of cubs. If it’s a go, the egg(