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. Stand your ground if persistently followed. But once the critical habitats are destroyed, major declines in bear populations are inevitable. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. This 1-way loop drive is filled with historical sights and stunning nature. There is only one species of bear in Tennessee and that is the black bear. During the warm winter days, you may have a chance to also see bears coming out of these shelters. For protein, black bears will eat Insects and animal carrion. Ive only made this drive a couple of times and havent been in a while but its definitely very neat and if you are a photographer you can get some good pics of nature and your family. If you are caught by a parker ranger, you will receive a fine of up $6,000 and a jail sentence of up to 6 months.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_12',179,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Bears who eat human food and their waste live a shorter life. 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. Being too close may promote aggressive behavior from the bear such as running toward you, making loud noises, or swatting the ground. They also feast on dead animals and prey on deer. Every time we looked off of our balcony there he was. When visitors head to the Smoky Mountains, it is common they stay in one of their authentic cabins. In many cases, a startled bear is an aggressive bear. Cades Cove. 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. If one is spotted "running toward you, making loud noises, or. With numbers like that your odds of seeing a bear are pretty good, but picking the right spot can stack the deck. Check out our guide to Smoky Mountain wildlife for even more animals! Most cabins have bear-proof trash containers, which you must use, and latch closed. Mating usually takes place in July. Want to get listed and grow your business? You should yell or throw a rock; they usually run away. If you are careless with your food or litter, YOU may be responsible for a bear's death! Willfully approaching a bear within 150 feet is illegal in the park. The Red Fox resembles a domestic dog in size, except for the white-tipped tail and black limbs, weighing up to 24 pounds. The black bears of Great Smoky Mountains are unusual in their den choicesthey often den several feet off the ground in standing hollow trees. Cades Cove. Throw non-food objects like rocks or sticks. Increase the distance between you and the bear. Here are the top 4 places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains: Cades Cove is one of the most popular destinations in see black bears in the Smoky Mountains, and the area is easily accessible with the 11 mile loop road. Back away slowly and quietly without disturbing the creature. 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? Giant bears weigh up to 600pounds and are not easy to find, while the Females weigh around 100 pounds, and the males weigh at approx. Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground). Look no further than Five Little Bears! 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? They live in social units mostly a mother and her young ones until they mature. Browse all Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg condos. Black bears, much like the Goldilocks story, like the weather just right. Female black bears in the Smoky Mountains average around 100 pounds, while the males hover around 250 pounds. How Common are Bear Attacks in Smoky Mountains? Use binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals. Bears should also be treated with caution and respect. The newest attractions opening this year. Since Cades Cove features a stunning mountain backdrop and wide open valleys, many bears enjoy this beautiful space in the park. A Guide to the Road to Nowhere, Smoky Mountains. The black bear is kind of like the mascot for the Smokies, you see black bears on everything you can buy or rent. If you want to increase your chances of seeing a bear, there are several locations where sightings are especially common! About 1,500 black bears call the park home, for an average of two bears per square mile. Hikers should double bag their food in their backpack. Coyotes grow to about 4 feet in length and weigh up to 50 pounds. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. You may think black bears only eat meat, but they are actually omnivores! If you are carrying bear spray, begin to discharge it when the bear comes within 20 yards of you. The black bears of Great Smoky Mountains are unusual in their den choicesthey often den several feet off the ground in standing hollow trees. 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. Since the national park is 800 sq. Insects and animal carrion provide valuable sources of protein for bears. Provided that you escape the encounter, immediately report it to a park ranger or the Wildlife Resources Office. Keep this fact in mind when planning your hikes and activities. When the weather turns cold, they vanish from the woods, heading into their dens for a winter of hibernation. Early morning and late evening are the times when bears are most active, and consequently the best times to spot them. Most of these incidents were related to hungry bears attacking humans for their food. So pack accordingly. Hence, depending on your luck, you may spot a bear! Not only could bear's food source of acorns be affected, but some of the prime denning spots in old growth trees may be lost. They provide spectacular views from waterfalls to lush forests and a way to look closely into the wilderness. TN Feeding bears in the Smokies by the way is a big no-no and illegal. With a population density of 2 bears per square mile, it's highly likely you'll run into one of these creatures while you're exploring the Smokies. You cant touch them since you would be interfering with the breathing system. When it comes to dealing with bears in the Smokies, common sense is key. At this number, this creates a population density of two bears per square mile. If the bear comes toward you, do not run, instead, scream continuously, and throw rocks to scare it away.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'smokymtnopry_com-banner-1','ezslot_6',175,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-banner-1-0'); The black mountain bears hibernate during winter, so its hard to find any around this time. It changes the bear's behavior and causes them to lose their instinctive fear of humans. Another great place to see bears in the Smoky Mountains is in the Cades Cove section of the national park. So dont feed the bears. Animals ranging from Salamanders to Elks and bobcats flourish in the wild. About 1,500 black bears call the park home, for an average of two bears per square mile. 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! 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. Bobcats have spotted coats, short ears, and stubby tails. 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}. The red-cheeked salamander is lungless and breathes through their skins, and visitors are advised not to touch or try to pet one if they spot it. The Great Smoky Mountains are rich in biodiversity and scenic beauty. Please use them to dispose of garbage. Many visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park hope to catch at least one glimpse of the parks famous black bear! Absolutely not! Males may weigh around 250 lbs in the summertime, but can double their weight in the fall when they are fattening up for winter. To begin planning your stay, give us a call at (800) 953-5655 and book your vacation with one of our vacation specialists! Learn more. Thank you for visiting! Cades Cove. Black bears are perhaps the most "famous" wildlife in the Smoky Mountains (photo by Tom Middleton/shutterstock.com) 1. 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. Feeding bears or allowing them access to human food and garbage causes a number of problems: For these reasons, park rangers issue citations for littering, feeding bears, and for improper food storage. Hikers on their morning trips or afternoon hikes often report seeing black bears hanging out in the tree line. Poaching activities can be somewhat curtailed, and bear populations can eventually rebound from the losses. 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. Though populations are variable, biologists estimate approximately 1,500 bears live in the park, a density of approximately two bears per square mile. Youre likely to see countless species in your vicinity, whether driving along the forest or hiking in the mountains. As I mentioned above, allowing the bear to eat human food and trash also will decrease its lifespan significantly. There are around 1500-1600 black bears living in the Smoky Mountains National Park. 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