Every year, thousands of vacationers see black bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, mostly on the Tennessee side. According to numerous sources, the best place to see black bears is in Cades Cove , a few miles from Gatlinburg and Townsend, Tennessee.
Where can you find bears in Tennessee?
- Ober Gatlinburg Wildlife Encounter. One of the top places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains is at the Ober Gatlinburg Wildlife Encounter. ...
- Bear Habitat at the Three Bears General Store. ...
- Cades Cove.
How likely is it to see a bear in Smoky Mountains?
With approximately 1,500 bears in the park, the population density is roughly two bears per square mile! This means that bear sightings in the park are not uncommon , especially during the early morning and late evening hours in spring and summer when they are the most active.
Is it common to see bears in Tennessee?
Millions of visitors come to Gatlinburg, TN each year to catch a glimpse of these amazing critters. With roughly 1,600 bears in the national park (around two bears per square mile), there are lots of opportunities for seeing these popular Smoky Mountain residents.
Are grizzly bears in Tennessee?
Are there grizzly bears in Tennessee? Grizzly bears are brown bears and seeing as only black bears are known to live in this state it is safe to say that people will not encounter a grizzly here . They are related to black bears though, but they are the larger and grumpier relative.
What months are bears most active?
If you want to give yourself the best chance to see an active bear, September and October are the best months. Bears are most active during this period, preparing for their lengthy hibernation. Some of the most popular activities for bears include snoozing, wandering, and fishing.
Are black bears aggressive?
While they tend to be less aggressive than other bear species , attacks still happen. Although fatal black bear attacks are generally rare, especially when compared to other bear species, they are still wild animals and can be extremely dangerous.
How common are bear attacks in Tennessee?
Bear attacks in the park are rare . They mostly eat berries, nuts and acorns, but also will eat small animals and scavenge on carcasses, McInnis said. But with the Smokies being the most-visited national park in the country – 12.1 million people visited in 2020 – human-bear interactions are almost inevitable.
What do you do if you see a black bear?
In general, when you encounter a black bear you should: • Remain calm . DON’T run from a bear. DON’T climb trees to escape a bear. Ensure the bear has an escape route.
Do you need bear spray in the Smoky Mountains?
Bear pepper spray may be carried by hikers within Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the strict purpose of protection against bodily harm from aggressive wildlife . It should not be applied to people, tents, packs, other equipment or surrounding area as a repellent.
Are bears active at night?
Bears are usually active from dawn to dusk, but they may be seen any time of day or night . Bears in many places of high human use have become nocturnal in order to avoid people.
How can we avoid bears in the Smoky Mountains?
- Change your direction.
- If the bear continues to follow you, stand your ground.
- If the bear gets closer, talk loudly or shout at it.
- Act aggressively to intimidate the bear.
- Act together as a group if you have companions.
What time of year are bears most aggressive?
Fatal bear attacks seem to correlate with visitor volume to parks. Most of the fatalities have happened during July and August , when trails are heavily populated. Attacks are minimal December through April, when most bears are hibernating for the winter and spring.
What to do if you encounter a grizzly bear?
- If you encounter a grizzly, do not run.
- Avoid direct eye contact.
- Walk away slowly, if the bear is not approaching.
- If the bear charges, stand your ground (you cannot outrun it).
- Don’t scream or yell. ...
- If you have pepper spray, prepare to use it.
Is there bears in Pigeon Forge TN?
Black Bears in the Smokies
There are roughly 1,500 bears in the Smokies which equals about 2 per square mile. The average adult male weighs in around 250 pounds and females tip the scales around 100 pounds.
What is the deadliest animal in Tennessee?
Timber Rattlesnake *VENOMOUS, Crotalus horridus. The Timber Rattlesnake is is the largest, and the most dangerous, of the 4 venomous snakes in Tennessee; it occurs across the state.
Are mountain lions in Tennessee?
Cougars, Puma concolor, The cougar (Puma concolor), also known as mountain lion, panther, painter, puma, and catamount, is the largest feline animal in North America. There haven’t been any cougars in Tennessee since the early 1900s .
Are there wolves in Tennessee?
There are currently no wolves in Tennessee . In fact, most historic range maps show that gray wolves never lived in Tennessee; only smaller red wolves once lived here. Some folks from time to time think that they have seen a wild wolf in Tennessee, but they haven’t.
What are bears scared of?
To scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, banging pots and pans or using an airhorn . Make yourself look as big as possible by waving your arms.
Where Do bears sleep at night?
What do bears choose for their bedroom? Most often they make a den under a rock, in a hollow tree, snuggled under a fallen tree, or in a brush pile . In the springtime, as snow melts and food sources become more available, bears wake up from their long hibernation. During the next few months, they rarely sleep at all.
Where Do bears sleep?
Where do bears sleep? Bears sleep in dens that they make themselves, as well as in hollow trees, caves and dens built by other bears . A den can be built in 3–7 days, however, the timing of den building varies from bear to bear.
Will a black bear eat you?
Fatal black bear attacks on humans are so rare — more so than any other species of bear — that they occur on average of once per year across North America, Garshelis said. In addition, about one black bear out of 1 million will attack a human in a predatory manner , Rogers said.
How do you scare off black bears?
Stand and face the bear directly. Never run away from or approach him. Make yourself look as big as possible by spreading your arms or, better yet, a coat. Make as much noise as possible by yelling, banging pots and pans or using other noisemaking devices .
Can a bear break into a car?
When bears become habituated to human food and garbage, they can become aggressive, dangerous, and may break into cars, RVs, and tents . If something has a scent, odor, or looks like a food container, a bear will investigate. Park regulations require all food items including garbage be properly stored.
Do I need bear spray in Tennessee?
Bear spray is legal for self defense in The Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Although you probably won’t need to use it , the peace of mind and security of knowing you have it on your hip so you can enjoy your hiking, camping or swimming is priceless.
Has anyone been attacked by a bear in Gatlinburg?
Bear attacks in the Smoky Mountains are very rare . In fact, it’s so uncommon that it can be difficult to find many statistics on the subject. In the year 2000, the Chicago Tribune reported a woman was killed by a black bear within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about 10 miles from Gatlinburg.
Are there alot of bears in Gatlinburg?
Bears inhabit all elevations of the park. Though populations are variable, biologists estimate that roughly 1,500 bears live in the park . This equals a population density of approximately two bears per square mile.
