bears in the smoky mountains
As a bonus, Cades Cove offers plenty of other wildlife too, including white tailed deer and coyotes! This is the only Mountain lion in the Smoky Mountains. Home Blog Smoky Mountain Wildlife Top 4 Places to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains. 250 pounds. If . At the onset of winter, deers drop their horns and develop fresh ones. At mile 3.4, turn right on the Indian Grave Gap trail before starting downhill. They are omnivores and eat things like fish, nuts, berries, and plants. Black bears can be seen throughout the year except rarely during the winter months. 865-436-7318, EXT 320. 1-800-371-0341 . On August 21, 2017 the western half of Great Smoky Mountains National Park will lie within the path of totalit How well do you know our Smoky Mountain home? I think if you are sensible about bear encounters, keep your distance, and follow the guidelines in the link above, it is not something you would ever have to seriously worry about. According to the North American Bear Center, since the year 1900, black bears have killed just 61 people across North America.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_8',178,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_9',178,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1');.large-mobile-banner-1-multi-178{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:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. One of the top places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains is at Cades Cove, a broad valley surrounded by mountains that offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the national park! Since the national park is 800 sq. 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. 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. Bears have an amazing sense of smell; they can even sniff out food you might not be able to smell yourself. Cades Cove is one of the best places for bear-spotting in the park, but most visitors only see it from the road, slogging through slow-moving lines of cars full of tourists. Bobcats have spotted coats, short ears, and stubby tails. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. A Wondrous Diversity of Life. Another non-native species, the gypsy moth, is expanding its range toward the park. Bear attacks on humans are very rare. If you spot a bear and he doesnt see you, keep it that way. So, when you visit this amazing Park, keep a keen eye on its inhabitants from a safe distance. Dispose of all food scraps or garbage in bear proof garbage containers or take it home with you. Rocky Vs Smoky Mountains which is Better to Visit? Better yet, bears are plentiful in the Smokies and live in all elevations of the park. When you think of the Smoky Mountains, you probably also think of black bears. About 1,500 black bears call the park home, for an average of two bears per square mile. Non-Native Species: The European wild hog is one of the most direct threats to the black bear. So it is best to just do the right thing and go the other way. Click Here, 6 Facts You Should Know About Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains. They mostly hunt fish, frogs, rabbits, and rodents. Often, they must be euthanized. Therefore, your odds are pretty good if you plan to spend any significant amount of time in the park! 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. However, bears in the Great Smoky Mountains Park are wild creatures and can be dangerously unpredictable. Stand your ground if persistently followed. 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. A three-year-old girl and mother both sustained superficial lacerations . Browse cabins with pet friendly policies. These bears pose a risk to public safety. Don't forget to read about bear safety before you explore. In the rare case where a bear comes towards you, do not run! 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. Bear attacks in the Smoky Mountains are incredibly rare and deaths even more so. Bears choose a denning site with the coming of cold weather. The further west you head, the more likely it is you could see brown, cinnamon, tan or blonde black bears.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-box-4','ezslot_4',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-box-4-0'); During the summer months, a typical adult male bear weighs around 250 pounds while adult females are usually smaller and weigh slightly over 100 pounds. The females are much smaller, weighing around only 100-120 lbs. Being too close may promote aggressive behavior from the bear such as running toward you, making loud noises, or swatting the ground. They are omnivores. If you love to hike, you might even see black bears along the trails. They are wild animals and can be unpredictable. Once they spot a catch, they grab it and roll over on their backs to eat while still in the water. You can also find animals roaming in the Park around the Cades Cove at dusk the best time to view wildlife in the Great Smoky Mountains. They feed on mice, small birds, snakes, frogs, and insects. This is a medium to a large venomous snake that lives above 3,000 feet. 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. They strike to bite! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. as adults. He was obviously begging for food, someone must have been dropping him snacks. They provide spectacular views from waterfalls to lush forests and a way to look closely into the wilderness. Both species are elusive and nocturnal. (2023 Updated), Gatlinburg SkyBridge: Everything You Need To Know. Black bears in the Smokies are black in color, but in other parts of the country they may be brown or cinnamon. Great Smoky Mountains National Park NC, TN Black Bear Management This orphaned bear cub from the Smokies gets another chance with a foster bear at Virginia Tech. Learn what to do if you see a bear by watching this short video. See the picture below. They are not friendly around pets and will not hesitate to kill on sight! 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. Do not give up and let the bear think you are food. As a precaution, you can also carry bear pepper spray for your protection, but be sure not to mishandle it. Remember, "a fed bear is a dead bear". 20 Must-Know Great Smoky Mountains National Park Facts. These social groups make river otters playful. LeConte! Park rangers patrol picnic areas and campgrounds to enforce evening closures, littering and food storage regulations. If the bear continues to follow you, stand your ground. Back away slowly and quietly without disturbing the creature. Proceed while continuing to observe the bear. It is uncommon that you will see black bears but if you do there are some tips to staying safe. The Red Fox is a solitary animal typically hunting alone. WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. Above all, keep your distance from bears! If you find your cabin does not have this, arrange for an employee to bring you one. They also feast on dead animals and prey on deer. There are many places because they are literally all over the place. Here are the top 4 places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains: 1. Eastern Cougars are large, brown or gray cats weighing approximately 140 pounds, and stand between 5-8 Ft. tall as adults. Coyotes adapt quickly to new environments and prefer to hunt at night. Garbage Kills Bears! If one is spotted "running toward you, making loud noises, or. Now you know even more about black bears in the Smoky Mountains! 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. Some Timber Rattlesnakes have a solid black hue and can grow up to 4.5 feet long. A standing bear isnt necessarily showing signs of aggression. The icing on the cake is the presence of over 20,000 different species, which is any nature enthusiasts dream come true. It is illegal and irresponsible to feed the bears. It is preferable not to hike alone. You can learn more about hibernation here. This could result in a person being injured and the bear being euthanized. Learn what to do if you see a bear by watching this short video. The best season to visit the Great Smokies Park is in the spring and at the onset of summer. Cades Cove. They feed on moths, flies, spiders, beetles, and snails. It feeds on small game but can also eat human food if offered. 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. Bears inhabit all elevations of the park. 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. 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. Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Store: 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend . Thank you for visiting! 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, like humans, are omnivores. The black bears of Great Smoky Mountains are unusual in their den choicesthey often den several feet off the ground in standing hollow trees. In some areas the number of bears that have to be trapped and moved away has decreased by ten fold! 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. Whenever bears come into our minds, they represent a creature that humans fear. For more information please read our privacy policy. More Bearpacker: In the Woods of Oklahoma, Researchers Are Helping to Rebuild a Bear Population. Everyone wants to see a black bear while they are visiting, and we want to share some interesting things about these beautiful creatures! 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. All you need to know about the most visited national park in the country. Nearly 1,500 black bears live in the Smoky Mountains national park. 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. We all know bears hibernate in the winter. You cant touch them since you would be interfering with the breathing system. It is relatively thick, with black or brown cross bands with chestnut, gray or yellow light backgrounds. Consider traveling with a group, as groups can be noisier and easier to detect. However, if you are ever attacked you should not play dead. Some are pretty friendly; others prefer to stay out of sight, while others are dangerous and can pose a threat if not treated with proper respect. 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. 4 Bedrooms, 5 Bathrooms. Studies have shown that bears that lose their fear of people by obtaining human food and garbage never live as long as bears that feed on natural foods and are shy and afraid of people. These pervasive intruders feed on the acorns and other foods that are mainstays of bear diets. Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground). At this number, this creates a population density of two bears per square mile. 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. Dens are usually hollow stumps, tree cavities, or wherever there is shelter. NPS photo. In the Woods of Oklahoma, Researchers Are Helping to Rebuild a Bear Population. There are lots of chances to catch these beautiful yet wild creatures, but you need to take some safety precautions. Do not approach within 50 yards or close enough to disturb the bear. River otters hunt the small amphibians that live in and along the rivers. The black bears can be seen in all elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding areas. Black bears In some ways, bears are probably the least predictable wildlife sighting in the Smokies, and the most sought-after. Please use them to dispose of garbage. Rangers often remind visitors that though these animals are cute and fluffy, they can be aggressive and behave unpredictably - especially when there are cubs to protect. It is home to black bears, who inhabit the elevations of the park. 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 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. They also strictly enforce regulations that prohibit approaching, harassing, disturbing or feeding bears. 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. 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. 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. You can watch them in Cades Cove or Cataloochee in the Smoky Mountains in the meadows near forests. Sometimes you dont even have to enter the famous national park to see them, as bears frequently roam around Gatlinburg. Its on many peoples bucket list and they are easy to spot, if you go the right time of year. 107 Park Headquarters Road Black bears in the mountains dont actually hibernate in the winter months, but they do sleep for longer periods of time when it gets cold. Every time we looked off of our balcony there he was. Do not play dead. If you are carrying bear spray, begin to discharge it when the bear comes within 20 yards of you. Black bears can live anywhere from 12-15 years. Provided that you escape the encounter, immediately report it to a park ranger or the Wildlife Resources Office. 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. Also, you can find Rainbow Falls here which is a really popular waterfall. Don't leave food for the bear; this encourages further problems. If you get into a situation where it requires that you defend yourself, then a can of bear spray may come in handy. Some bears in the park have even been documented to weigh over 600 pounds! Colonial Properties Logo | Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals. Another place where many bear sightings are reported is Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. There is an average of 1,500 black bears, which is about 2 bears every square mile. Increase the distance between you and the bear. During this time, they double in weight to protect themselves from the cold. More black bears live within the national park than anywhere else in the country. They are immensely athletic, run at incredible speeds, and can quickly leap over an 8-foot fence. A bear might stand on its hind legs to get a better view and survey its surroundings. After all, they are pretty much the face of the park and Gatlinburg. In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, biologists estimate there are about 1,500 black bears. They seem harmless at first glance, but are some of the most dangerous animals living in the smoky mountains when provoked. 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