One way bears leave scent is by straddling saplings and bushes as they walk, urinating on the vegetation as it passes beneath them.  This is done by bears of both sexes throughout the spring-summer-fall but is done most frequently by mature males in May and June. 

If saplings are in leaf when straddled, the leaves may be creased or torn.  Leaf creases turn brown and are evidence the trail was used since spring green-up.

Bear hair was caught on this small spruce tree when it was straddled by a bear.