The fall of 2014 is Raspberry's 7th fall. In the spring of 2011 I observed Raspberry mating and hoped for spring cubs in 2012. No such luck. In springs in 2013 and 2014, I observed her being actively courted by a few different boars and again had my fingers crossed for spring babies. br/br/My hopes for 2015 cubs are very high after seeing her looking so fat and well prepared for hibernation in October of 2014.br/br/Bears mate in the spring, but through a process of delayed implantation, fertilized eggs do not begin to develop until after she enters hibernation. Her body fat content - and hence ability to support herself and offspring through hibernation - is the determining factor as to if eggs will implant and develop, as well as litter size.