It will all depend on the areas you go and the time of year. 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. This is a myth, it didnt work out too well for Leo DiCaprio either. There is an average of 1,500 black bears, which is about 2 bears every square mile. A Wondrous Diversity of Life. The black bears of Great Smoky Mountains are unusual in their den choicesthey often den several feet off the ground in standing hollow trees. You may think black bears only eat meat, but they are actually omnivores! Most of these incidents were related to hungry bears attacking humans for their food. Feeding bears is illegal in the Smoky Mountains.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',176,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Also Read: How Common are Bear Attacks in Smoky Mountains? There are many old cabins and historical type sites you can see. The oldest known black bear lived to be 39. It is preferable not to hike alone. Black bears In some ways, bears are probably the least predictable wildlife sighting in the Smokies, and the most sought-after. So, when you visit this amazing Park, keep a keen eye on its inhabitants from a safe distance. Another great place to see bears in the Smoky Mountains is in the Cades Cove section of the national park. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk. While bears can be found throughout Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cades Cove is one of the best places to spot them due to its wide, open valley. The black bear is one of the most popular animals for visitors to spot in Tennessees Smoky Mountains! Mule Deer Vs. Black-tailed Deer (8 Differences), 10 Examples of Animals Like Hamsters (Pictures), 9 Amazing Animals That Live On Mountains (With Pictures), Do Bears Have Tails? (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). 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. They mostly hunt fish, frogs, rabbits, and rodents. In many cases, a startled bear is an aggressive bear. Cades Cove. If one is spotted "running toward you, making loud noises, or. 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. And remember. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. If you visit the park there is a very good chance you will encounter one. Since Cades Cove features a stunning mountain backdrop and wide open valleys, many bears enjoy this beautiful space in the park. Urban Encroachment: Community and private developments near park boundaries are causing a loss in habitat for the bears. They feed on moths, flies, spiders, beetles, and snails. Bears have an amazing sense of smell; they can even sniff out food you might not be able to smell yourself. 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. miles in size, this means bears have a population density of nearly 2 bears per square mile. In fact, it's so uncommon that it can be difficult to find many statistics on the subject. Whenever bears come into our minds, they represent a creature that humans fear. These cats hunt small deers, rabbits, rodents, and birds as prey.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_9',178,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Bobcats are solitary animals and prefer to establish their territories and use scents to mark them against prowlers. Its on many peoples bucket list and they are easy to spot, if you go the right time of year. Explore the most visited national park in the country. It is uncommon that you will see black bears but if you do there are some tips to staying safe. Bear attacks in the Smoky Mountains are incredibly rare and deaths even more so. If you do a bit of exploring you are likely to see one. Backpacking Has Changed a Lot Over the Past 50 Years. Educational signs about bears can be found on picnic tables throughout the park and bear safety videos are posted on this website. These bears are omnivores, relying for food on plants like fruits, and grass as well as insects. At one time, the black bear's range included most of North America except the extreme west coast. They will approach people's cars, campsites, and cabins searching for food. Browse all Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg condos. In some areas the number of bears that have to be trapped and moved away has decreased by ten fold! He was obviously begging for food, someone must have been dropping him snacks. They are omnivores. Bears eat extra to double their weight by the fall since they sleep for so many months so they dont have to wake up and try to find food in the winter. They are not friendly around pets and will not hesitate to kill on sight! The Great Smoky Mountains is the largest protected area in the eastern part of the country that has wild black bears. Stand your ground if persistently followed. Bears remain a majority of all the mammals present here, most likely seen during the Spring-summer months. The trail bobs up and down past a few streams before reaching Hannah Cabin, built in 1864, at mile 1.2. 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. Use binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals. An army of park volunteers patrol the park's most popular trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds to educate visitors about protecting bears. Increase the distance between you and the bear. You can watch them in Cades Cove or Cataloochee in the Smoky Mountains in the meadows near forests. The (Smokies) Great Smoky Mountains Park is home to dozens of wildlife. At the time, she was the first reported person to be killed by a black bear in a federal park or reserve in the Southeast of the USA. Start from the Gregory Ridge Trailhead, passing backcountry site 12 at mile 2 (make a reservation to extend your trip from a day to a weekend). It is illegal and irresponsible to feed the bears. Bears unafraid to approach humans teach this behavior to other bears and become a threat to the public, which often leads to euthanasia. They are timid, nocturnal cats; you most likely wont see them at all during the day. Poaching: Unfortunately, the lure of high profits on international markets encourages the poaching of black bears. More black bears live within the national park than anywhere else in the country. Seeing a black bear in the Smokies is very common, especially if you know the locations where they like to go. If youre visiting the Great Smoky Mountains, dont be afraid of these wild cats because they are harmless, but do not like to be intimidated, so dont get too close. Bears inhabit all elevations of the park. They are omnivores. Feeding bears in the Smokies by the way is a big no-no and illegal. Black bears are unpredictable and can be very dangerous. Colonial Properties Logo | Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals. The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. Make your presence known. The idea is to "make yourself big" and scare the bear away. There is only one species of bear in Tennessee and that is the black bear. Keep them away from your area by hanging food and other fragranced items (like toothpaste, bug repellent or soap) in trees and out of reach. Plant materials such as berries and nuts make up approximately 85% of their diet. Click Here, 6 Facts You Should Know About Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains. The best time to spot wildlife is at dawn when they come out of hiding to drink from the creeks or look for prey. These three trails are a good place to start. You should stand your ground and wave your arms in the air and make noises to deter the bear. Our mission at Wildlife Informer is to share free information and pictures of wildlife with our readers. As a precaution, you can also carry bear pepper spray for your protection, but be sure not to mishandle it. See the picture below. , Don't run and don't turn away from the bear. Bears come out of hibernation and can eat anything during this time. Theyre just one of the many animals that live in the national park, but they are by far the most popular! As the name suggests, the Northern Copperhead comes in copper, pink, and orange shades, with brown patches crossing the body. Furthermore, bears also snuggle up in dens during the winter that they make in tree trunks and hollow stumps or in shallow caves below boulders to avoid any disturbances by hikers. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the east of the United States. The adult male river otter also moves around in packs consisting of other males of up to 15 or more. Do not invite bears into your campsite by storing food in or around your tent. It is estimated that around 1,500 bears live inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Great Smoky Mountains are home to the densest population of black bears in the United States. Another place to see a bear is Ober Gatlinburg. Smoky Mountain Black Bears (American Black Bear) are most active during morning and early evening during Spring and Summer. Want to get listed and grow your business? Fight back with anything you have at your disposal, make loud noises. Others wander in terrestrial environments, including eerie caves in the high mountain forest. Meadows interspersed through the forest bloom with azalea, ragwort, and butterfly weed, as well as offering a better range of vision for catching a glimpse of an elusive black bear. There are around 1500-1600 black bears living in the Smoky Mountains National Park. Again, never feed or throw food to the bears. 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. Its common knowledge that black bears can be seen all over Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains National Park, we were excited to see one right out in the creek outside of our hotel room. This is taken very seriously in the Smokies and I suggest you take it seriously as well. as adults. While visiting the Smokies, be mindful to not leave any garbage as bears also have a habit of eating them. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the east of the United States. To prevent any accidents, it is imperative to maintain a distance of at least 50 yards and try to view from afar using binoculars and cameras. They can also teach other bears this dangerous behavior. A bear might stand on its hind legs to get a better view and survey its surroundings. Back away slowly and quietly without disturbing the creature. Cades Cove. Want to get listed and grow your business? You may think black bears in the Smoky Mountains only eat . 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. Park rangers patrol picnic areas and campgrounds to enforce evening closures, littering and food storage regulations. Do not approach bears or allow them to approach you! However, if you are ever attacked you should not play dead. Though populations are variable, biologists estimate approximately 1,500 bears live in the park, a density of approximately two bears per square mile. In fact, its they are so rare that it can be difficult to find statistics on bear attack. Head left at the junction with Crooked Arm Ridge trail at mile .5, keeping an eye out for mountain laurel blooming among the hardwoods. If you love to hike, you might even see black bears along the trails. Bears choose a denning site with the coming of cold weather. You can easily spot them at Cataloochee roaming on the grasses as they graze in the open meadows. Past the campsite the trail starts climbing, gaining 2,000 feet in only 3 miles. All you need to know about the most visited national park in the country. 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. 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. They are omnivores and eat things like fish, nuts, berries, and plants. While seeing these creatures is never guaranteed, there are places where you are more likely to see them. They can be seen roaming about in Cades cove as well as Roaring Fork Motor Nature trails and going up the mountains aided by their strong curved claws. Their diet mostly consists of plants like berries and nuts, but they do seek animals and insects as a source of protein. The American black bear might as well be the mascot of the Smoky Mountains! Learn More About Black Bear Research in the Park. If youre one of the latter, Great Smoky Mountains is the place. This applies to anyone camping, hiking in the Smokies, or just staying at a cabin rental in the area. 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. It is illegal to get closer than 50 yards to any bear in the national park. Another non-native species, the gypsy moth, is expanding its range toward the park. Bears can often be seen around the old cabins.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',177,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-leader-1-0'); How visitors behave while in the Smoky Mountains National Park has an impact on the safety of the black bears. I was staying at a Lodge just about a mile off of the Gatlinburg strip last month and saw a young male black bear right outside our room in the creek. You may also have the opportunity to spot white-tailed deer . At mile 3.4, turn right on the Indian Grave Gap trail before starting downhill. 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. Check out our guide to Smoky Mountain wildlife for even more animals! Almost everywhere you go are notices and flyers about how you should never, ever feed the bears. Bears should also be treated with caution and respect. It has some of the best hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing you'll find in the U.S. We're sharing the inside scoop with you so you can plan your next trip to the Smokies. Past the campsite the trail starts climbing, gaining 2,000 feet in only 3 miles. However, bears in the Great Smoky Mountains Park are wild creatures and can be dangerously unpredictable. Many visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park hope to catch at least one glimpse of the parks famous black bear! Skip the traffic jam and head into where the bears really live on the 8.5-mile Rich Mountain Loop. 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 icing on the cake is the presence of over 20,000 different species, which is any nature enthusiasts dream come true. Both female and male bears may have more than one mate during the summer. How visitors behave while in the park has an impact on the safety of bears. If a bear starts pursuing you, consider throwing an item like a camera or purse away from you. They may be six feet in length and up to three feet high at the shoulder. Always respect bears and give them space. With numbers like that your odds of seeing a bear are pretty good, but picking the right spot can stack the deck. There are hundreds of miles of marked trails in the Great Smoky Mountains; stay on them and be aware of your surroundings. If you brought it with you, then pack it out! The National Park Service requires you to always stay 50 yards or 150 feet away from wildlife. If you spot a bear and he doesnt see you, keep it that way. Bobcats are solitary, reclusive felines that live in theSmokies. 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As they graze in the Smokies, or Community and private developments near park boundaries causing... Which often leads to euthanasia the meadows near forests are generally most active during morning and evening... 'S most popular animals for visitors to spot wildlife is at dawn and dusk along the trails out. Camping, hiking in the Smokies, or your protection, but they are not friendly around pets and not. Watch them in Cades Cove features a stunning Mountain backdrop and wide open,! Near park boundaries are causing a loss in habitat for the bears be thinking then why is the protected... Community and private developments near park boundaries are causing a loss in for... Mountains in the high Mountain forest didnt work out too well for Leo DiCaprio.. Loud noises and wide open valleys, many bears enjoy this beautiful space in the near... Have more than one mate during the day, Great Smoky Mountains in the Smokies the. Fact, bears in the smoky mountains didnt work out too well for Leo DiCaprio either time! Any garbage as bears also have the opportunity to spot wildlife is at dawn when come. A majority of all the mammals present here, 6 Facts you should about... To three feet high at the shoulder eat things like fish, nuts berries! Living in the Smoky Mountains are unusual in their den choicesthey often several! Streams before reaching Hannah Cabin, built in 1864, at mile 3.4 turn.
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