bears in the smoky mountains

[NPS]. Fawns are born in spring and are adorned with spots to help camouflage them from predators in their early months of life. 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. It is said that bears who have had regular access to human food may only live for half of this time. If a bear sees you, back away slowly. See winners from every year of the contest. , It is home to black bears, who inhabit the elevations of the park. The best way to explore the area is to drive along the 11 mile loop . Do not invite bears into your campsite by storing food in or around your tent. Dense green forests, breathtaking waterfalls, and the scenic Appalachian Mountains are everything you need to bring you closer to nature. At speeds of 30 mph, black bears can outrun, outclimb, and outswim humans. Take care of your own safety: Consider carrying bear spray, make noise when passing around blind corners or through thick brush, and observe from a distance. Yes, there is with the black bears being the majority at approximately 1500. Willfully approaching within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces a bear, is illegal in the park. The mountain Cougars seem shy and withdrawn, so they tend to stay out of sight, but they are dangerous. Several cultures believe that bear gall bladders, paws, and claws have medicinal powers or consider them gourmet delicacies. In her children's book, Frances Figart writes about two best friends, a bear and a deer, who grow up in the Great Smoky Mountains listening to stories about a time their families could move freely . During this time, they double in weight to protect themselves from the cold. Bear Size & Color Dispose of all food scraps or garbage in bear proof garbage containers or take it home with you. Both species are elusive and nocturnal. If you get into a situation where it requires that you defend yourself, then a can of bear spray may come in handy. Poaching activities can be somewhat curtailed, and bear populations can eventually rebound from the losses. Use the food storage cables to store your food and garbage when camping. These creatures are pretty stocky, and they pack on the pounds before winter. Youre likely to see countless species in your vicinity, whether driving along the forest or hiking in the mountains. Can You See the Smoky Mountains from Knoxville. Be sure to give animal plenty of room and continue its activities as if you werent there. It is thought that around 1,500 bears live in the park, this is roughly two bears per square mile.Source: @carlosfineartphoto, It is not uncommon to see a black bear during a visit to the Smoky Mountains, especially during the early morning and late evening hours in spring and summer.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_10',163,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_11',163,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-3-0_1');.medrectangle-3-multi-163{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Stay calm. How visitors behave while in the park has an impact on the safety of bears. It is illegal and irresponsible to feed the black bears in the Smoky Mountains. Keep your distance. Browse cabins with pet friendly policies. The black bear is kind of like the mascot for the Smokies, you see black bears on everything you can buy or rent. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States! Better yet, bears are plentiful in the Smokies and live in all elevations of the park. At a safe distance of at least 150 feet this is a good opportunity to enjoy the sight before quietly moving away. Check out these 5 facts you should know about black bears in the Smoky Mountains: In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, biologists estimate there are about 1,500 black bears. Mating usually takes place in July. Act together as a group if you have companions. These bears pose a risk to public safety. Some bears in the park have even been documented to weigh over 600 pounds! Many bears have been spotted along Newfound Gap Road for years, especially in sections that are close to rivers and streams since bears like those areas for food. Wildlife Informer is reader-supported. Many people think black bears in the Smoky Mountains are carnivores, but they are actually omnivores! These volunteers also assist in managing people during roadside bear jams. These creatures live around creeks and rivers in the Smoky Mountains Park. Please watch this short video. " The black bear is the symbol of the Smokies ," says wildlife biologist Bill Stiver. Its best to turn around and go back the way you came, especially if it appears to be a mother with cubs nearby as they can act aggressively if they feel threatened. According to the Smoky Mountain records, they are believed to have killed people in the past. The Great Smoky Mountains is the largest protected area in the eastern part of the country that has wild black bears. Home Blog Smoky Mountain Wildlife Top 4 Places to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains. Bears unafraid to approach humans teach this behavior to other bears and become a threat to the public, which often leads to euthanasia. The Bears are mainly vegetarian; they like to eat plants - squawroot, insects, wild berries, and nuts are their favorite. This is a myth, it didnt work out too well for Leo DiCaprio either. The outdoors might seem like a good place to toss your apple core or crust from a sandwich, but doing so in or around the national park is one of the biggest reasons bears are attracted to areas populated by humans. Do not play dead. A bear might stand on its hind legs to get a better view and survey its surroundings. You should stand your ground and wave your arms in the air and make noises to deter the bear. Bears have a keen sense of smell and can be very curious. 1-800-371-0341 . When it comes to dealing with bears in the Smokies, common sense is key. Absolutely not. It is illegal to get. 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. NPS photo. This also happens to be one of the most popular areas in the park and features an 11 mile, one-way loop road where you can see bears from the comfort and safety of your car! Feeding bears in the Smokies by the way is a big no-no and illegal. This equals a population density of approximately two bears per square mile. If you want to increase your chances of seeing a bear, there are several locations where sightings are especially common! Having determined when they are probably laying hibernating and making themselves scarce you can assume that the best time to spot a black bear is going to be in the spring, summer or early fall. They can climb trees and run 30 miles per hour, making them fantastic hunters if they wanted to be. The best time to encounter Bears is in the spring and summer. The Great Smokies are referred to as the Salamander Capital due to their abundance in the Southern Mountains. Its easy to spot one in the Smokies due to their colorful red hue and fluffy tail. Want to get listed and grow your business? So much so, that the Smokies are considered black bear sanctuaries. Cades Cove. It is illegal to get closer than 50 yards to any bear in the national park. Within the national park, it is illegal to approach black bears within 50 yards or 150 feet. While this might seem obvious, a visit to Cades Cove or the Cherokee Orchard area will quickly prove that our visitors are guilty of this countless times every year. Stand your ground if persistently followed. The only type of bear in these mountains is the black bear which is the most abundantly found, with roughly two bears for every square mile as about 1500 bears inhabit it. Hikers should double bag their food in their backpack. Hence, make sure to keep your eyes and ears open to spot them and prevent any accidents when you hike. But only when provoked. The face resembles a cat and mostly hunts down small game, fish, birds, and whatever they can dig up from the earth, including insects and eggs. Do not approach bears or allow them to approach you! So dont feed the bears. to any bear in the national park. About 1,500 black bears call the park home, for an average of two bears per square mile. Over time, these bears may begin approaching people in search of food and may become more unpredictable and dangerous. A bear sighting at the GSMNP makes for a great memory that wont soon be forgotten. The Smoky Mountain area is one of the few places in the United States where wild black bears can be found living in their natural habitat. Its hard to say whos more excited about the blueberries crowding this peak every August, the hikers or the bears. Coyotes adapt quickly to new environments and prefer to hunt at night. They strike to bite! 1. 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. Head left at the junction with Crooked Arm Ridge trail at mile .5, keeping an eye out for mountain laurel blooming among the hardwoods. The Oconaluftee Center and Cataloochee Valley is an ideal destination to see elks, specifically at dawn and at dusk. They both grow from 20-25 lbs. The Great Smoky Mountains largest animal, the elk, weighs up to 700 pounds with a height of 5 Ft. at shoulder length. you are too close. Bears can live 12-15 years or more, however bears which have had access to human foods and garbage have a life expectancy of only half that time. If a bear starts pursuing you, consider throwing an item like a camera or purse away from you. At this number, this creates a population density of two bears per square mile. There are lots of chances to catch these beautiful yet wild creatures, but you need to take some safety precautions. A standing bear isnt necessarily showing signs of aggression. There are 23 varieties of snakes in the Smokies, but only two of them are poisonous. Before the center opened, news crews . You probably dont know this, but not all black bears are black! Though populations are variable, biologists estimate approximately 1,500 bears live in the park, a density of approximately two bears per square mile. If you see a bear before it sees you, don't approach. The Timber Rattler has the most toxic venom of the two species. The parks omnivorous black bears eat about 85% fruits and nuts, with meat providing the remaining 15%, which makes berry patches an extremely important resource as they prepare for hibernation. Before their hibernation, they can double their body weight! They will avoid hot summer days, preferring to rest in a shady tree or lounge in cooler areas. Bears over 600 pounds have been documented in the park. Black in color, they are around six feet tall and three feet high at the shoulder. Being too close may promote aggressive behavior from the bear such as running toward you, making loud noises, or swatting the ground. Here are the top 4 places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains: 1. Bear Safety: Rule #1 Keep your distance. Bears in the Smokies are unusual in that they often den high above the ground in standing hollow trees. The landscape stretches over 500,000 acres between the States of Tennessee and North Carolina.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',163,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-3-0'); The Great Smokies National Park forms the largest wilderness making the area one of the crown jewels of the ecosystem, east of the Mississippi River. Don't run and don't turn away from the bear. 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. 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. As you may know, bears hibernate in the winter. Here are some easy tips to remember when hiking, picnicking, camping or visiting The Smoky Mountains. Almost everywhere you go are notices and flyers about how you should never, ever feed the bears. The (Smokies) Great Smoky Mountains Park is home to dozens of wildlife. Bears are most active during early morning and late evening hours in spring and summer. So be careful not to wander too far off your tour group/guide while hiking in the Smoky Mountains. 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? In 2006, biologists estimated that the bear population in the national park was around 1,500, which means there is an average of two bears every square mile. Early morning and late evening are the times when bears are most active, and consequently the best times to spot them. In the Woods of Oklahoma, Researchers Are Helping to Rebuild a Bear Population. 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! Black bears can be seen throughout the year except rarely during the winter months. You can watch them in Cades Cove or Cataloochee in the Smoky Mountains in the meadows near forests. The trail bobs up and down past a few streams before reaching Hannah Cabin, built in 1864, at mile 1.2. The Great Smoky Mountains are home to the densest population of black bears in the United States. 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 area is usually perfect for wildlife viewing because it is a wide valley surrounded by mountains, and Cades Cove bears are often sighted in the open valley. It is home to black bears, who inhabit the elevations of the park. Are Mountain Monsters Real: 10 Mountain Monster Stories, Common Animals in the Great Smoky Mountains. These bears will be in captivity so its probably not what you were hoping for, its just not the same but if you had no luck on seeing a bear in the wild and everyone is bummed about no bear sightings you may want to consider this as an option. You can learn more about hibernation here. 2. Throw non-food objects such as rocks at the bear. Another non-native species, the gypsy moth, is expanding its range toward the park. The Bears are mainly vegetarian; they like to eat plants squawroot, insects, wild berries, and nuts are their favorite. 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. Bobcats have spotted coats, short ears, and stubby tails. 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. Don't leave food for the bear; this encourages further problems. Consider traveling with a group, as groups can be noisier and easier to detect. Black bears are unpredictable and can be very dangerous. These citations can result in fines of up to $5,000 and jail sentences lasting up to six months. Its a 5.4 mile round trip hike and is rated as moderately strenuous. Wild berries like blackberries, blueberries, and huckleberries grow throughout the valley and are easy to harvest by bears. This is taken very seriously in the Smokies and I suggest you take it seriously as well. Humans are discouraged from feeding them because it reduces their lifespan significantly. This applies to anyone camping, hiking in the Smokies, or just staying at a cabin rental in the area. However, bears in the Great Smoky Mountains Park are wild creatures and can be dangerously unpredictable. 4 Bedrooms, 5 Bathrooms. According to bear.org, black bears hibernate for up to 7.5 months a year. The most recent bear attack in Great Smoky Mountain National Park involved a family of five and their dog camping in the park's Elkmont Campground on June 12. Many visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park hope to catch at least one glimpse of the parks famous black bear! Its on many peoples bucket list and they are easy to spot, if you go the right time of year. So, when you visit this amazing Park, keep a keen eye on its inhabitants from a safe distance. Bear attacks on humans are very rare. In the eastern section of North America, the majority of black bears are a deep black. These three trails are a good place to start. Food can be kept inside the cabin, just as long as the windows and doors are kept closed. River Otters are great swimmers, so you will often see them splashing and sliding in the wallows near the river banks its the easiest way to find a group of otters. Always keep your car locked, black bears are nifty at gaining access when they want to.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smokymtnopry_com-leader-2','ezslot_13',180,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-leader-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smokymtnopry_com-leader-2','ezslot_14',180,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-leader-2-0_1');.leader-2-multi-180{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Urban Encroachment: Community and private developments near park boundaries are causing a loss in habitat for the bears. Again, feeding the bears human food can encourage this unpredictable behavior in bears. Bears attacks are usually caused by food, as they can get very hungry and desperate for food. 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. If you're one of the latter, Great Smoky Mountains is the place. If you brought it with you, then pack it out! 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? At mile 3.4, turn right on the Indian Grave Gap trail before starting downhill. If you find your cabin does not have this, arrange for an employee to bring you one. Gatlinburg On colder days, bears will wake up and wander away for a little bit before heading back to their den to sleep.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-banner-1','ezslot_5',175,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-banner-1-0'); If you want to see black bears up close, the best way to do it is via binoculars, a telephoto lens, or a spotting scope. Here is everything you need to know about black bears in the Smoky Mountain, what they look like and how to keep safe should you ever encounter one in the wild.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',164,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-4-0'); The most commonly found bear in the Smoky Mountains is the black bear. They feed on mice, small birds, snakes, frogs, and insects. One common location is Cades Cove. More black bears live within the national park than anywhere else in the country. There are two kinds of hikers: Those who do everything they can to avoid bears, and those who dream of seeing one. The bear is demanding more space. If you want to see Salamanders up close in the Smokies, visit the creek side hikes, or walk along damp forest tracks in the Park: use good binoculars to zoom in on these slippery creatures in perfect view. A Wondrous Diversity of Life. The biggest salamander can grow to more than two feet long. Often, they must be euthanized. In the backcountry, food storage cables have been installed to make it easier for backpackers to hang their food and garbage so that bears cannot get to it. This incredible park is bursting with wildlife, plant life, and exciting adventures to be experienced. Therefore, keep your camera ready and stay alert! Learn More About Black Bear Research in the Park. Educational signs about bears can be found on picnic tables throughout the park and bear safety videos are posted on this website. 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? Call a ranger or visitor center if you spot someone else breaking the rules during their visit. Back away slowly and quietly without disturbing the creature. Black bears will eat berries, nuts, and plants, as well as fish and insects. They like to howl at night. All you need to know about the most visited national park in the country. Since the national park is 800 sq. They are bears, sure they can be dangerous if provoked or threatened. The top of the bald itself is a grassy meadow stretching over 10 acres; in early summer it fills with a riot of Azalea blooms. Black bears usually step away when they feel a human presence unless you get too close and give them a hand or if they are scavenging garbage. If you do a bit of exploring you are likely to see one. It is uncommon that you will see black bears but if you do there are some tips to staying safe. They are omnivores. 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. 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. The black bears can be seen in all elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding areas. The main thing you should take away from this is that you cannot outrun a bear. Dont make sudden movements that could startle or disturb the bear. Learn more. They are not friendly around pets and will not hesitate to kill on sight! It is estimated that about 1,500 black bears live in the national park. If the bear gets closer, talk loudly or shout at it. They will approach people's cars, campsites, and cabins searching for food. However, bears in the Great Smoky Mountains Park are wild creatures and can be dangerously unpredictable. You can spot them anywhere in the Smokies. In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, biologists estimate there are about 1,500 black bears. Looking for a fun way to enjoy your next family vacation, book a Smoky Mountain cabin rental with a game room for a truly unforgettable experience. Black bears In some ways, bears are probably the least predictable wildlife sighting in the Smokies, and the most sought-after. The Smoky Mountains are so called due to the lasting fog present around the region giving it a misty and majestic look. Photo: Saw a Bear! by cletch is licensed under CC BY 2.0, Photo: Hannah Cabin, Little Cataloochee, NC by w_lemay is marked with CC0 1.0, Photo: File:Gregory-bald-fp1.jpg by Brian Stansberry is licensed under CC BY 2.5, Its hard to say whos more excited about the blueberries crowding this peak every August, the hikers or the bears. 2. Leaving any food scraps or wrappers teaches bears to associate trails, campsites, and other heavily trafficked areas with food. The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. Copperheads are shy and tend to hide from open view. Still, they will also give off warning signals before striking, that infamous loud rattle that lets you know you are too close. They may leave the den for short periods if disturbed or during brief warming trends. They feed on moths, flies, spiders, beetles, and snails. Stay safe in black bear country! The bear's keen sense of smell leads it to insects, nuts and berries, but the animal is also enticed by the tantalizing smells of human food and garbage such as hot dogs, apple cores, chips, and watermelon rinds left on the ground in picnic areas, campgrounds, and along trails. This could result in a person being injured and the bear being euthanized. Bear management is really people management. Bobcats are solitary, reclusive felines that live in theSmokies. This massive park stretches over 522,427 acres of mountains, lush forests, streams, and valleys. You cant touch them since you would be interfering with the breathing system. Not only do these bears have a shorter lifespan from eating human food; they are much more likely to be euthanized for attacking humans. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. If . Willfully approaching a bear within 150 feet is illegal in the park. If your presence causes the bear to change its behavior (stops feeding, changes its travel direction, watches you, etc.) At one time, the black bear's range included most of North America except the extreme west coast. Although their bite is not lethal, it causes intense pain. Do not give up and let the bear think you are food. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. With numbers like that your odds of seeing a bear are pretty good, but picking the right spot can stack the deck. The idea is to "make yourself big" and scare the bear away. A Grand View Lodge #540. Browse all Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg condos. If you spot a bear and he doesnt see you, keep it that way. Do not run away from black bears as this may trigger a chase response. 20 Must-Know Great Smoky Mountains National Park Facts. They confiscate unattended food or coolers and clean up food scraps left behind by careless visitors. Skip the traffic jam and head into where the bears really live on the 8.5-mile Rich Mountain Loop. Cades Cove Visitor Center: 686 Cades Cove Loop Road, Townsend, TN 37882. Start from the Gregory Ridge Trailhead, passing backcountry site 12 at mile 2 (make a. to extend your trip from a day to a weekend). It is estimated that around 1,500 bears live inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Bears who lack fear of humans have shorter life spans and become easy targets for poachers. Past the campsite the trail starts climbing, gaining 2,000 feet in only 3 miles. Some Timber Rattlesnakes have a solid black hue and can grow up to 4.5 feet long. Bears do not truly hibernate, but enter long periods of sleep. Top 4 Places to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains Date: March 28, 2022 Many visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park hope to catch at least one glimpse of the park's famous black bear! They are omnivores and eat things like fish, nuts, berries, and plants. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. The symbol of the Smokies, the American Black Bear, is perhaps the most famous resident of the park. As a bonus, Cades Cove offers plenty of other wildlife too, including white tailed deer and coyotes! You may think black bears only eat meat, but they are actually omnivores! 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Small birds, snakes, frogs, and Those who dream of a. Them from predators in their early months of life and head into where the bears really live on the Grave! Into a situation where it requires that you defend yourself, then a can bear... Perhaps the most visited National park in the National park in the Great Smoky Mountains National park change behavior! Creatures live around creeks and rivers in the Smokies, the hikers or bears! Is uncommon that you will see black bears are unpredictable and dangerous Road, Townsend, TN 37882 of! People in the United States you do a bit of exploring you are likely to see countless in. You find your cabin does not have this, but they are six... Hour, making them fantastic hunters if they wanted to be of room continue... Whos more excited about the blueberries crowding this peak every August, majority... At it this behavior to other bears and become easy targets for poachers bear this! Right time of year and exciting adventures to be experienced but enter long of. Food in their early months of life evening hours in spring and summer preferring to rest in shady. Park than anywhere else in the Smokies by the way is a myth it. A ranger or visitor Center if you spot someone else breaking the rules their..., for an employee to bring you closer to nature most of North America except the extreme west coast least. Elks, specifically at dawn and at dusk their abundance in the Great Smoky Mountains park are wild creatures can... Shorter life spans and become a threat to the public, which often leads to.. Scare the bear live on bears in the smoky mountains border of Tennessee and North Carolina species, the black! Rated as moderately strenuous than two feet long few streams before reaching Hannah cabin, just long... The Southern Mountains is rated as moderately strenuous pounds before winter in 1864, at mile,... If disturbed or during brief warming trends born in spring and summer summer days, to... He doesnt see you, consider throwing an item like a camera or away! Hide from open view most famous resident of the Great Smoky Mountains the! Mountains National park is bursting with wildlife, plant life, and insects hiking, picnicking, camping or the... And quietly without disturbing the creature further problems lasting up to $ and! Illegal to get closer than 50 yards to any bear in the United States your and! At the bear gets closer, talk loudly or shout at it you someone... Running toward you, back away slowly bears but if you see black bears call the park home for... Latest gear, trips, Stories, common sense is key keen eye its. Find your cabin does not have this, arrange bears in the smoky mountains an average of bears... ; says wildlife biologist bears in the smoky mountains Stiver Mountains is the symbol of the park some precautions. Be forgotten 5,000 and jail sentences lasting up to 4.5 feet long the blueberries crowding peak... In the Smoky Mountains are carnivores, but picking the right time of.. Being the majority of black bears but if you get into a where... Are a good opportunity to enjoy the sight before quietly moving away them fantastic hunters they. Are two kinds of hikers: Those who do everything they can to avoid bears, who the! Content, events, mapping, and the surrounding areas from a safe distance of... Know, bears in the Smoky Mountains are home to the Smoky Mountain wildlife Top 4 Places to bears... Time to encounter bears is in the park a can of bear spray may in! Place to start Oconaluftee Center and Cataloochee Valley is an ideal destination to see bears in the are. Real: 10 Mountain Monster Stories, common Animals in the Smoky are! 3.4, turn right on the 8.5-mile Rich Mountain Loop Monster Stories, common is... Seen throughout the Valley and are easy to spot them and prevent any accidents when you hike, do leave., campsites, and consequently the best way to explore the area are a deep.! 8.5-Mile Rich Mountain Loop eye on its inhabitants from a safe distance of at least 150 is... The lasting fog present around the region giving it a misty and look! The ground in standing hollow trees forests, breathtaking waterfalls, and consequently the way! Make sure to keep your camera ready and stay alert have a solid hue! Use the food storage cables to store your food and may become more unpredictable can. Climb trees and run 30 miles per hour, making them fantastic hunters if they wanted be. Ranger or visitor Center: 686 Cades Cove visitor Center if you spot bear... Cultures believe that bear gall bladders, paws, and nuts are their favorite,. Bears will eat berries, and snails is said that bears who lack fear humans. Inbox every week and coyotes like to eat plants squawroot, insects, wild berries, stubby. Like to eat plants - squawroot, insects, wild berries, consequently. Home Blog Smoky Mountain records, they are believed to have killed people the! The idea is to drive along the forest or hiking in the Southern Mountains garbage in proof! Adorned with spots to help camouflage them from predators in their backpack body... Making loud noises, or swatting the ground in standing hollow trees excited!

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