Black bear is by far the most common big game species in Canada and black bear is offered by more hunting outfitters in Canada than any other animal. Southern portions of Alberta and Saskatchewan and the province of Prince Edward Island are the only areas with no population of Black Bear.

The black bear is a bulky and thickset mammal. Approximately 150 cm long and with a height at the shoulder that varies from 100 to 120 cm, an adult black bear has a moderate sized head with a rather straight facial profile and a tapered nose with long nostrils. Its lips, unlike those of other animals such as the wolf or bobcat, are free from the gums and can be manipulated with amazing dexterity.

The ears are rounded and the eyes small. The tail is very short and inconspicuous. A black bear has feet that are well furred, on which it walks like a human being with the entire bottom portion of the foot touching the ground. Each foot has five curved claws, which it cannot sheathe. These are very strong and are used for digging and tearing out roots, stumps, and old logs when searching for food.

Although black is the most common colour, other colour phases such as brown, dark brown, cinnamon, blue black, and even white also occur. Albinos are rare. The lighter colour phases are more common in the west and in the mountains than in the east. Any of these colour phases may occur in one litter, but generally all cubs in a litter are the same colour as their mother. (Source - Canadian Wildlife Service)