A common mistake that people and even beginner photographers make is to assume that any large bear is a male. They know that male bears can get larger than females and as a result call all large bears male. One of the ways to determine the correct sex of an American Black Bear is head shape and size and the ear size in relation to the head. Typically a female has a longer more dog like face and the ears appear large. The male on the other hand has a rounder face and the ears appear smaller. Below is an image of a female American Black Bear.

Momma Black Bear Sleeping