If the bear continues to follow you, stand your ground. If a bear persistently follows or approaches you, without vocalizing, or paw swatting: If the bear's behavior indicates that it is after your food and you are physically attacked: If the bear shows no interest in your food and you are physically attacked, the bear may consider you as prey: Help protect others, report all bear incidents to a park ranger immediately. Black bears in the mountains dont actually hibernate in the winter months, but they do sleep for longer periods of time when it gets cold. It is illegal and irresponsible to feed the black bears in the Smoky Mountains. It is estimated that around 1,500 bears live inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Several cultures believe that bear gall bladders, paws, and claws have medicinal powers or consider them gourmet delicacies. This is a medium to a large venomous snake that lives above 3,000 feet. Now you know even more about black bears in the Smoky Mountains! Every time we looked off of our balcony there he was. There are no grizzlies in the Smokies, or Tennessee at all for that matter. A total of 750,000 black bears reside in North America but are only responsible for less than one death per year, showing that it is very uncommon for them to attack you unprovoked. Females with newly born cubs usually emerge from their winter dens in late March or early April. He was obviously begging for food, someone must have been dropping him snacks. The oldest known black bear lived to be 39. When you think of the Smoky Mountains, you probably also think of black bears. Educational signs about bears can be found on picnic tables throughout the park and bear safety videos are posted on this website. These Photos Prove It. Bears have color vision and a keen sense of smell. Commonly born in pairs, the cubs will remain with the mother for about eighteen months or until she mates again. These bears are omnivores, relying for food on plants like fruits, and grass as well as insects. They also strictly enforce regulations that prohibit approaching, harassing, disturbing or feeding bears. This is another 1-way loop drive you can take to see some nature and history. Feeding bears in the Smokies by the way is a big no-no and illegal. If you travel to Gatlinburg expecting to see black bears everywhere you go, you may be disappointed. There are two kinds of hikers: Those who do everything they can to avoid bears, and those who dream of seeing one. Stand your ground if persistently followed. One of the top places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains is at Cades Cove, a broad valley surrounded by mountains that offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the national park! The adult male river otter also moves around in packs consisting of other males of up to 15 or more. The red and gray fox are found near Cades Cove in Smokies Park.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_10',180,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Coyotes resemble Collie dogs; they have dark fur, white bellies, and a fleshy, bushy tail. Absolutely not! One of the most important things to remember if you are lucky enough spot a bear is to keep a safe distance of at least 150 feet (50 yards) and do not approach. There have been reports of bears weight upwards of 600 lbs. This 1-way loop drive is filled with historical sights and stunning nature. (Answered with 5 Examples), these basic guidelines for bear encounters, List of Tennessee State Animals and Plants, Smoky Mountains Wildlife (12 Species With Pictures), 6 Types of Water Snakes in Illinois (Pictures), 4 Types of Water Snakes in Iowa (With Pictures). As you may know, bears hibernate in the winter. If you visit the park there is a very good chance you will encounter one. During the warm winter days, you may have a chance to also see bears coming out of these shelters. If you're one of the latter, Great Smoky Mountains is the place. For more information please read our privacy policy. Another one of the top places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains is along Newfound Gap Road, which is also known as Highway 441. They may be six feet in length and up to three feet high at the shoulder. WARNING: Willfully approaching a black bear within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces a bear, is illegal in the park. 865-436-7318, EXT 321. There are hundreds of miles of marked trails in the Great Smoky Mountains; stay on them and be aware of your surroundings. Bears are like humans, they are omnivores. Provided that you escape the encounter, immediately report it to a park ranger or the Wildlife Resources Office. Wildlife Informer is reader-supported. First and foremost the consensus is to stay calm. While driving along the loop road or stopping to stretch your legs for a short hike, keep your eyes open as you may get to see mother black bears with her cubs walking around! Though populations are variable, biologists estimate that roughly 1,900 bears live in the park. Humans are discouraged from feeding them because it reduces their lifespan significantly. As I mentioned above, allowing the bear to eat human food and trash also will decrease its lifespan significantly. It will all depend on the areas you go and the time of year. They are not friendly around pets and will not hesitate to kill on sight! It has been estimated that about 1,500 bears live in the park, which is equal to a population density of roughly two bears per square mile. The Timber Rattler is not known to be lethal. However, unlike popular belief, black bears are rarely aggressive towards people. Bears remain a majority of all the mammals present here, most likely seen during the Spring-summer months. Additionally, if a park ranger catches you, you can receive a fine of up $6,000 and a jail sentence of up to 6 months. You can drive around on the loop and possibly see them passing through fields or even see them near the historic buildings or along the creek. Do not approach the bear. They live in social units mostly a mother and her young ones until they mature. Spotting a bear in the Smokies can be a wonderful experience, but it's important to remember that these majestic creatures can also be dangerous - and we can be dangerous to them. Since the national park is 800 sq. Colonial Properties Logo | Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals. Its hard to say whos more excited about the blueberries crowding this peak every August, the hikers or the bears. Also Read: Best Time to Visit Smoky Mountains. Some are pretty friendly; others prefer to stay out of sight, while others are dangerous and can pose a threat if not treated with proper respect. In some areas the number of bears that have to be trapped and moved away has decreased by ten fold! Its on many peoples bucket list and they are easy to spot, if you go the right time of year. One to four cubs are born during the mother's winter sleep, usually in late January or early February. For protein, black bears will eat Insects and animal carrion. Black bears love Cades Cove because it has a suitable ecosystem and a variety of food sources. At this number, this creates a population density of two bears per square mile. If a bear starts pursuing you, consider throwing an item like a camera or purse away from you. Better yet, bears are plentiful in the Smokies and live in all elevations of the park. River otters hunt the small amphibians that live in and along the rivers. If a bear just leisurely approaches you at your campsite or while you are out hiking, you should scare it off with loud noises like Get out of here bear! Something like that. Often, they must be euthanized. While seeing these creatures is never guaranteed, there are places where you are more likely to see them. You may also have the opportunity to spot white-tailed deer . Learn what to do if you see a bear by watching this short video. It changes the bear's behavior and causes them to lose their instinctive fear of humans. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. As you walk through the national park, you will see lots of notices and flyers that will remind you of the perils of feeding the bears. Head out to the Park in the early summer to witness mothers give birth to adorable calves and September-October for the annual mating season when bulls circle cows into herds. The National Park Service requires you to always stay 50 yards or 150 feet away from wildlife. When it comes to dealing with bears in the Smokies, common sense is key. Coyotes adapt quickly to new environments and prefer to hunt at night. Food sources like berries and wild apples, access to water, and good denning sites all increase the chances of spotting one of the Smokies bruins on your hike. Its a 5.4 mile round trip hike and is rated as moderately strenuous. Carry bear spray in a wearable holster so you can easily access it if needed Don't discharge a firearm; this can cause a safety hazardfor other visitors. However, bears in the Great Smoky Mountains Park are wild creatures and can be dangerously unpredictable. Still, they will also give off warning signals before striking, that infamous loud rattle that lets you know you are too close. Don't leave food for the bear; this encourages further problems. Do not run away from black bears as this may trigger a chase response. Our Gatlinburg cabins sit only a few minutes from the national park, meaning you won't have to drive very far to see the black bears! If you get into a situation where it requires that you defend yourself, then a can of bear spray may come in handy. Sign up for Outside+ today. , This could distract the animal and give you time to make a clean get away. You should use binoculars, cameras, or spotting scope to look at bears up close instead of trying to physically get near them. Use binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the east of the United States. Backpacking Has Changed a Lot Over the Past 50 Years. During the summer months, a typical adult male bear weighs approximately 250 pounds while adult females are generally smaller and weigh slightly over 100 pounds. Do not invite bears into your campsite by storing food in or around your tent. In the Woods of Oklahoma, Researchers Are Helping to Rebuild a Bear Population. At the onset of winter, deers drop their horns and develop fresh ones. If you are carrying bear spray, begin to discharge it when the bear comes within 20 yards of you. Fight back with anything you have at your disposal, make loud noises. These creatures can be about 6 feet long and three feet tall at the shoulder. But once the critical habitats are destroyed, major declines in bear populations are inevitable. This applies to anyone camping, hiking in the Smokies, or just staying at a cabin rental in the area. This means that bear sightings in the park are not uncommon, especially during the early morning and late evening hours in . 1. Back away slowly and quietly without disturbing the creature. wildlife viewing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 4 Interesting Facts About Salamanders in the Great Smoky Mountains, Top 3 Safety Tips About Viewing the Smoky Mountain Wildlife, Top 3 Reasons Why You Can See Salamanders in Great Smoky Mountains National Park During the Winter, 3 Reasons Why Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains Dont Truly Hibernate, Top 6 Historical Places in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, How to See Your Favorite Smoky Mountain Wildlife in the National Park, Top 10 Things to Know About the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Before You Go. Black bears can be seen throughout the year except rarely during the winter months. Its an 11 mile loop to circle the cove, you will see many other tourists driving through here in the busy season trying to catch a glimpse of black bears and other wildlife. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the eastern United States where black bears can live in wild, natural surroundings. Most of the time bears will flee when they encounter humans, however in the national park these bears are protected and are probably pretty bold. Past the campsite the trail starts climbing, gaining 2,000 feet in only 3 miles. Of course it most likely would never come to this as bears as long as you follow these basic guidelines for bear encounters, but maybe better safe than sorry? While mostly docile and calm animals, elks may charge at potential threats, including humans, so its best to observe them from a distance.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'smokymtnopry_com-leader-1','ezslot_8',177,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-leader-1-0'); White-tailed deer are common in the Smoky Mountains Park. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. Animals ranging from Salamanders to Elks and bobcats flourish in the wild. During this time, they double in weight to protect themselves from the cold. When you visit the Great Smoky Mountains, be sure to use the provided bear-proof dumpsters and garbage cans. You may be thinking then why is the NBA team in Memphis, Tennessee called the Memphis Grizzlies? This team was originally in Vancouver, Canada and apparently on Vancouver Island there have been instances of grizzly bear sightings. They seem harmless at first glance, but are some of the most dangerous animals living in the smoky mountains when provoked. At speeds of 30 mph, black bears can outrun, outclimb, and outswim humans. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. They are omnivores. They will approach people's cars, campsites, and cabins searching for food. Call a ranger or visitor center if you spot someone else breaking the rules during their visit. Bears have a keen sense of smell and can be very curious. Willfully approaching within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces a bear, is illegal in the park. Now that you know about the top places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains, keep in mind that bears and all the other wildlife in the park are unpredictable and it is always important to keep safety in mind when wildlife viewing! Black bears in the Smokies are black in color, but in other parts of the country they may be brown or cinnamon. Black in color, they are around six feet tall and three feet high at the shoulder. The black bear is one of the most popular animals for visitors to spot in Tennessees Smoky Mountains! They can live at any elevation in the park, so you could see them near cabins in the woods or as you hike to the summit of Mt. Non-Native Species: The European wild hog is one of the most direct threats to the black bear. The Timber Rattler has the most toxic venom of the two species. Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides the largest protected bear habitat in the East. They provide spectacular views from waterfalls to lush forests and a way to look closely into the wilderness. Allow 2-4 hours time for this excursion, maybe more if you plan on doing a bit of exploring or having a picnic perhaps. June is one of the busiest months at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for both visitors and the parks 1,500 black bear residents, which is why basic bear safety is so important to learn before you visit. Cades Cove Visitor Center: 686 Cades Cove Loop Road, Townsend, TN 37882. Again, never feed or throw food to the bears. There are many places because they are literally all over the place. you are too close. If you are careless with your food or litter, YOU may be responsible for a bear's death! Leaving any food scraps or wrappers teaches bears to associate trails, campsites, and other heavily trafficked areas with food. 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