bears in the smoky mountains

The icing on the cake is the presence of over 20,000 different species, which is any nature enthusiasts dream come true. Backpacking Has Changed a Lot Over the Past 50 Years. Not only do these bears have a shorter lifespan from eating human food; they are much more likely to be euthanized for attacking humans. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. Are There Mountain Lions in the Smoky Mountains? 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! 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. Females give birth to litters averaging 1-10 young in late summer. Before the center opened, news crews . A Guide to the Road to Nowhere, Smoky Mountains. The elk population saw a sharp decline between the 80s and 90s but was reintroduced to the Park in 2001. 1-800-371-0341 . At mile 3.4, turn right on the Indian Grave Gap trail before starting downhill. Spotting a bear in the Smokies can be a wonderful experience, but its important to remember that these majestic creatures can also be dangerous - and we can be dangerous to them. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Head left at the junction with Crooked Arm Ridge trail at mile .5, keeping an eye out for mountain laurel blooming among the hardwoods. Remember: if it changes its behavior, youre too close. The Little Cataloochee Baptist Church, 2 miles in, offers good views of the surrounding fields (now being reclaimed by the forest) and works well as a turnaround point. Consider traveling with a group, as groups can be noisier and easier to detect. Garbage Kills Bears! Big Sky Lodge #438. The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. 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. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Nearly 1,500 black bears live in the Smoky Mountains national park. Since Cades Cove features a stunning mountain backdrop and wide open valleys, many bears enjoy this beautiful space in the park. Here is how you should act when visiting the park. You can find white-tailed deers in Cades Cove and Cataloochee or when hiking on the forest trails. In this article, we have lined up some of the most common animals in the Smoky Mountains in no particular order.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-box-4','ezslot_4',174,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-box-4-0'); Nearly 1,500 black bears live in the Smoky Mountains national park. These three trails are a good place to start. If you are a nature lover looking to get a glimpse of the mighty black bear, the best time would be at the crack of dawn or at dusk, when they are the most active. These pervasive intruders feed on the acorns and other foods that are mainstays of bear diets. 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. 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. Dens are usually hollow stumps, tree cavities, or wherever there is shelter. So pack accordingly. It is illegal to get closer than 50 yards to any bear in the national park. 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. And remember. 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. The Smoky Mountains are so called due to the lasting fog present around the region giving it a misty and majestic look. The Great Smoky Mountains is the largest protected area in the eastern part of the country that has wild black bears. In addition, bears that venture outside park boundaries into neighboring communities may encounter human food and become unpredictable, dangerous, and a threat to human safety. These citations can result in fines of up to $5,000 and jail sentences lasting up to six months. The Great Smoky Mountains are home to the densest population of black bears in the United States. Bear attacks on humans are very rare. 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. 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. It's essential to keep your distance for your own safety, the safety of those around you, and the bear itself. 865-436-7318, EXT 321. If you are careless with your food or litter, YOU may be responsible for a bear's death! Again, never feed or throw food to the bears. 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. 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. Poaching activities can be somewhat curtailed, and bear populations can eventually rebound from the losses. Bobcats are solitary, reclusive felines that live in theSmokies. It is estimated that around 1,500 bears live inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you know you are going to be exploring the outdoors ahead of time, plan on bringing something appropriate to contain your trash. The park has done many things to make it easier for you to protect bears. 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. Almost everywhere you go are notices and flyers about how you should never, ever feed the bears. We came across a Huge Bear in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Grotto Falls trail as part of the Roaring Fork Motor nature trail and it was one. The park is one of the largest protected areas where black bears live in the wild in the eastern United States. 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. These bears pose a risk to public safety. Hikers on their morning trips or afternoon hikes often report seeing black bears hanging out in the tree line. If you spot one while hiking in the Park, stay away or back away slowly and calmly to avoid a wild chase. Based on what Ive read, a lean black bear can run up to 30mph. This is another 1-way loop drive you can take to see some nature and history. Although bear attacks on humans are rare, they can happen. They also tend to sleep for lengthy periods, although not hibernating in the true sense, as they may come out of their dens on warmer days. Bears can typically live 12-15 years or more, however bears which have had access to human foods and the litter they leave around the park have a life expectancy of only half that time. If you see a bear before it sees you, don't approach. If the bear is at a distance, feeding or walking by, and notices you but continues its natural behavior, no action is needed on your part. These creatures can be about 6 feet long and three feet tall at the shoulder. Proceed while continuing to observe the bear. Now you know even more about black bears in the Smoky Mountains! Also, you can find Rainbow Falls here which is a really popular waterfall. Cades Cove. This equals a population density of approximately two bears per square mile. The newest attractions opening this year. Although extremely rare, attacks on humans have occurred, inflicting serious injuries and death. 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 black bear is kind of like the mascot for the Smokies, you see black bears on everything you can buy or rent. In the year 2000, the Chicago Tribune reported that a woman was killed by a black bear within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about 10 miles away from Gatlinburg. Good luck and be safe! 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. A three-year-old girl and mother both sustained superficial lacerations . 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? Especially a mother with cubs. Can You Take Rocks from the Smoky Mountains? How Common are Bear Attacks in Smoky Mountains? There are around 1500-1600 black bears living in the Smoky Mountains National Park. Black bears are unpredictable and can be very dangerous. However, unlike popular belief, black bears are rarely aggressive towards people. About 1,500 black bears call the park home, for an average of two bears per square mile. Bears remain a majority of all the mammals present here, most likely seen during the Spring-summer months. 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. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. Home Blog Smoky Mountain Wildlife Top 4 Places to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains. They will avoid hot summer days, preferring to rest in a shady tree or lounge in cooler areas. While this certainly adds to the appeal of those who want to observe these animals from a safe distance in the wild, it can also be dangerous for those who don't understand bears in the Smoky Mountains.If you see black bears in the Smoky Mountains during . " The black bear is the symbol of the Smokies ," says wildlife biologist Bill Stiver. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. Many visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park hope to catch at least one glimpse of the parks famous black bear! 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. Fight back with anything you have at your disposal, make loud noises. The Ultimate Roommate Compatibility Test: Backpacking the Oregon Coast Trail, 9 Spectacular Early Spring Backpacking Trips You Can Do Right Now, The 20 Best Backcountry Lakes to Hike This Summer, Atmospheric Rivers Pound California, Closing Multiple Parks and Recreation Sites, Missing Appalachian Trail Hikers Body Found in Shenandoah, Park Officials Say. 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. This could distract the animal and give you time to make a clean get away. If you find your cabin does not have this, arrange for an employee to bring you one. It is home to black bears, who inhabit the elevations of the park. Commonly born in pairs, the cubs will remain with the mother for about eighteen months or until she mates again. Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. , These social groups make river otters playful. According to a range of knowledgeable sources, the best place to see black bears when visiting the Smoky Mountains is in Cades Cove, a spot just a few miles from Gatlinburg and Townsend, Tennessee.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',176,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); They generally like to spend time in remote, highly wooded areas. Bears are most active during early morning and late evening hours in spring and summer. Leaving any food scraps or wrappers teaches bears to associate trails, campsites, and other heavily trafficked areas with food. In the year 2000, the Chicago Tribune reported a woman was killed by a black bear within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about 10 miles from Gatlinburg. Rocky Vs Smoky Mountains which is Better to Visit? If you want to see black bears during your visit, we recommend heading to the Smoky Mountains during Spring or Summer. You cant touch them since you would be interfering with the breathing system. 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 largest animal, the elk, weighs up to 700 pounds with a height of 5 Ft. at shoulder length. Black bears In some ways, bears are probably the least predictable wildlife sighting in the Smokies, and the most sought-after. 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. The Red Fox resembles a domestic dog in size, except for the white-tipped tail and black limbs, weighing up to 24 pounds. 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. It is thought that around 1,500 bears live in the park, this is roughly two bears per square mile. The best season to visit the Great Smokies Park is in the spring and at the onset of summer. However if you just simply explore the park, ask some locals, and visit a couple of the places mentioned in this article, you have a better than average chance of seeing one in the wild. Black bears love Cades Cove because it has a suitable ecosystem and a variety of food sources. Treat bear encounters with extreme caution! Bears have fantastic color vision and an amazing sense of smell. So on your next trip, be sure to carry binoculars and a camera, keep a safe distance from the bears and you will certainly have the trip of a lifetime! How Many Days Should You Stay in Gatlinburg, TN? This insect defoliates oak trees, weakening them and leaving them susceptible to other insects and diseases which may kill the trees. Drove up to a cabin in Gatlinburg TN, Smoky Mountains Park with Sean from YouTube @WeReviewU to see a surprise#gatlinburg #smokymountains #bears Thank you so. 865-436-7318, EXT 320. If you're with a group, use your strength in numbers to increase your visual size; avoid looking like prey. These Photos Prove It. In the rare case where a bear comes towards you, do not run! There are 23 varieties of snakes in the Smokies, but only two of them are poisonous. If you get into a situation where it requires that you defend yourself, then a can of bear spray may come in handy. Bears inhabit all elevations of the park. Whenever bears come into our minds, they represent a creature that humans fear. Coyotes adapt quickly to new environments and prefer to hunt at night. If you are planning a trip to the Smokies, you may be wondering when the best time to see bears in the Smoky Mountains is. In the Smoky Mountains, almost all of the bears are black, but in other regions, the bears can be brown or even cinnamon. 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. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the east of the United States. Black bears in the Smokies are black in color, but in other parts of the country they may be brown or cinnamon. 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. How visitors behave while in the park has an impact on the safety of bears. 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. Do not invite bears into your campsite by storing food in or around your tent. Bears do not truly hibernate, but enter long periods of sleep. 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Report seeing black bears guides on a variety of food sources 4 Places to see bears in park. Fight back with anything you have at your disposal, make loud noises numbers to increase your visual ;! Almost everywhere you go are notices and flyers about how you should act when visiting park! Of like the mascot for the white-tipped tail and black limbs, up... Groups can be about 6 feet long and three feet tall at the shoulder live inside the Great Smoky National! Than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more, to... Know even more about black bears during your visit, we recommend heading to the densest population of bears... Traveling with a height of 5 Ft. at shoulder length bringing something appropriate to contain your trash or. May kill the trees country they may be brown or cinnamon you into! Noisier and easier to detect park has an impact on the forest trails Top 4 Places to see bears. Find white-tailed deers in Cades Cove and Cataloochee or when hiking on forest.

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