Black bears can have many different color phases. The genetic dominent color overall is black. Red or cinnamon probably comes in second followed by brown. The real rare ones would be blue (I have heard about some of these from out in the North West somewhere) and white or cream (the native americans called ghost bears). A grey bear could just be a variation of the white color phase? Have you seen such a bear?
Sometimes the black colored bears have white markings on them, esp around the neck and chest. I have a shoulder mounted bear in my house that has a white triangle/heart shaped mark on its chest. Real cool looking.
ADKBear

Hey ADKBEAR,

One of the hunters got one 3 years ago with us,the first anyone has heard about as I know of.the hair was soft like "fur" light gray coat,white feet.

and 2 years ago in same area,another one was taken out,but this one was a darker gray with one white paws in the back. Could be a new color phase coming into N.S. which part, I will never tell,this area is strickly for our hunters.

Yes the Blue Black we've gotten also. I do have a photo of this one ! But the grays I had pics of ,well one of the hunters wanted to have it instead of me!!

The red phase bears don't appeal to me,the hair looks too much like an Aranatang to me.I've seen these in Western Canada when I lived out there.

in canada we usually call these kind of animals grandfather foxs , bears, moose when they are silvery grey and then you got the white ones which are albino but there is also another type witch is even more rare but i forget the name i remember hearing about this before.

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I am a true believer in the one shot one kill method

Hank
Would like to see a photo of said bear?

Post it.