Looking at those Grizzly paws and long claws I fully understand why they don't climb trees. When I lived in Idaho back in the 60's two Grizzly bear experts, the Craighead Brothers, were about and primarily studying Yellowstone and Glacier Park Grizzlies. They had numerous fights with Yellowstone's bear management who felt the solution was death to any bear who hurt some tourist trying to feed them Cheetos out a car window.  They were banned from the park several times for protesting the killing of innocent bears. I recall one of their presentations where they said Grizzlies couldn't climb because of those long claws and this photo certainly explains why.   

Rick

Grizzly bears can climb trees. But not when they are drinking water. When a bear gets to big to climb trees that's when they can't climb trees. Black bear claws are better for climbing trees than Grizzly bear claws.

Only repeating what the Craighead Brothers claimed and as the leading experts on Grizzlies I believed them. Perhaps I should have noted the caveat ' Adult Grizzlies '. I don't doubt cubs and smaller bears can get up a tree but a big Grizzly might find it hard to find branches capable of supporting their weight.

I guess these days you can always find an answer to fit so when you told us " Grizzly bears can climb trees " I listened then you said later " I didn't know so I looked it up. " I started to wonder. Below is another take that doesn't fit 

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I should ask Mike. He's headed out tomorrow for Manitoba and another bear. Mike will know. I wonder if Manitoba has grizzly bears?

In the official song - remember Eddie Arnold's commercial? - it is "Smokey the Bear".

Bill Lawrence

I thought that was "Smokey the Bar" in the song...

I have learned a tremendous amount from this forum!