Tennessee has two main black bear populations: the Appalachian Population along the Tennessee-North Carolina border and the Cumberland Population in the northern part of the Cumberland Plateau along the Tennessee-Kentucky border.
Where is the best place to see a bear in Tennessee?
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?
Here are the top 3 places to visit to see bears in the Smoky Mountains:
- 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 common are bears in Tennessee?
Today, bears can be found in every county in East Tennessee, from the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau to the Tennessee-North Carolina state line. As of 2020, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency estimates 6,000 bears in the area.
Do black bears live in Middle Tennessee?
Biologists estimate there are at least 6,000 bears in the state. There have been sightings in most East Tennessee counties and many in Middle Tennessee, not far from Nashville. In 2018 hunters harvested a record-setting 759 black bears in the state.
What are the odds of seeing a bear in Gatlinburg?
In fact, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has approximately 1600 black bears roaming around at any given time! While your odds of seeing a bear sound good, this really only equates to 1-2 bears per square mile of park.
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. At one time, the black bear’s range included most of North America except the extreme west coast.
Does Smoky Mountains have bears?
While visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it’s almost a sure thing that you’ll encounter wildlife. There are more than 1,600 black bears inside the park that spans 816 square miles, which is approximately two bears for every square mile.
Is there 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.
How many bears are in Gatlinburg Tennessee?
1,600 bears
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 there mountain lions in Tennessee?
There haven’t been any cougars in Tennessee since the early 1900s. Similar to Tennessee’s wild elk and buffalo, the cougar was extirpated from the state around the early 1900s due to overhunting and habitat loss.
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.
Are bears in Middle TN?
TWRA estimates there currently are about 6,000 black bears in the state. Every east Tennessee county has black bears living there. The state’s wildlife agency reports the animals moving into middle and east Tennessee as well. In addition, black bears are migrating into west Tennessee from the Arkansas mountains.
Are there bears in Pigeon Forge?
Our Pigeon Forge cabins are set amongst the beautiful, natural surroundings of the Smokies, so once again, you’re in the bears’ habitat. Many of our guests have had some exciting bear sightings near their cabins.
Can I shoot a bear in self defense in Tennessee?
TWRA said if the bear was truly aggressive and threatening, the man may be justified for shooting it in self-defense. But you are not allowed to shoot a bear because it is close to you. Firing a weapon should only be used as a last resort when there is no other escape option.
Are there grizzly bears in the Smokies?
The Great Smoky Mountains — also known as the Smokies or the Smoky Mountains — are located on both sides of the Tennessee-North Carolina border. Almost all of the range is contained within and protected by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Only one species of bear is found in the Smokies: the black bear.
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.
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 time of day are bears most active in the Smoky Mountains?
Bears are most active during early morning and late evening hours in spring and summer. Mating usually takes place in July. Both female and male bears may have more than one mate during the summer. Bears choose a denning site with the coming of cold weather.
Should I carry bear spray in the Smoky Mountains?
Hikers visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are permitted to bring bear pepper spray into the park for the sole purpose of protection against bodily harm from aggressive wildlife. Therefore, consider bear spray as one of your essential hiking items when planning your trip!
How many bears are in Pigeon Forge?
Black Bears in the Smokies
There are roughly 1,500 bears in the Smokies which equals about 2 per square mile.