Yes all females around a male at this time of the year. Male would fight with other males around, either to defend his harem or steal it from the alpha male.
  I didn't know this, Michel.  There was one buck and 12 does.  He was magnificent.  I spotted him in a really narrow window of vision, and wasn't sure if I had seen what I thought I saw......but as we rounded a bend, there was the rest of the herd.  He eventually got up and joined the ladies.  We watched for quite a while.  It was only 2 minutes after we carried on, that we saw the bear.
  Thanks SD.....good to be home.  
  Hubby and I have just made a pact to get our selves back to Banff before too long.  We were both in awe.