SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - Officials with the Sequoia National Park Service say many people have been told that bears go into a state of deep hibernation all winter long; but, after fresh prints were spotted in Sequoia National Park, rangers want to set the record straight. "A lucky visitor spotted three black bears roaming the Giant Forest, and a park ranger discovered fresh tracks nearby. It's a reminder that these magnificent creatures are still active and exploring our stunning landscapes," a social media post by park staff reads. According to the National Park Service, bears are not true hibernators. Bears hibernate to conserve energy, so they do not need to eat or drink when food is scarce; it also means they rarely relieve themselves - not that they sleep for several months at a time. Rangers add that hibernation in black bears is dependent on food availability - so if bears have access to human food or trash in the winter, they may skip hibernation altogether. If you encounter a black bear, park staff say there are four general rules to follow: If in a group, stay together. If a bear changes its behavior because of your presence, it means you are too close. Do not get between a female and her cubs. Do not linger for too long. Although rare, if the bear bluff-charges, there are additional precautions to follow, including: Look big, raise your arms, stand your ground and yell loudly at the bear. When the bear backs away, you back away, too. If a bluff charge becomes a real charge and a bear makes bodily contact, first tuck into a ball face down with your hands clasped over your neck. If the bear does not immediately back off and continues in its attack, fight back hard using your fists, rocks, or whatever you have available. These rules only apply to black bears.