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. 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. Its a local saying. There are many old cabins and historical type sites you can see. So dont feed the bears. 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. Wildlife managers actively monitor for bear activity and use innovative and proactive techniques to keep bears shy, secretive, and afraid of people. First and foremost the consensus is to stay calm. Also Read: Best Time to Visit Smoky Mountains. These volunteers also assist in managing people during roadside bear jams. In many cases, a startled bear is an aggressive bear. Don't forget to read about bear safety before you explore. Bobcats have spotted coats, short ears, and stubby tails. Keep your distance. After all, they are pretty much the face of the park and Gatlinburg. The Chimneys Picnic Area also provides an excellent chance of spotting a bear! There are 23 varieties of snakes in the Smokies, but only two of them are poisonous. Can You See the Smoky Mountains from Knoxville. Several cultures believe that bear gall bladders, paws, and claws have medicinal powers or consider them gourmet delicacies. When you think of the Smoky Mountains, you probably also think of black bears. A standing bear isnt necessarily showing signs of aggression. The black bears of Great Smoky Mountains are unusual in their den choicesthey often den several feet off the ground in standing hollow trees. Some bears in the park have even been documented to weigh over 600 pounds! Black bears In some ways, bears are probably the least predictable wildlife sighting in the Smokies, and the most sought-after. Please watch this short video. River otters hunt the small amphibians that live in and along the rivers. 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. 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. The mating season is between spring and fall. Within the national park, it is illegal to approach black bears within 50 yards or 150 feet. It is home to black bears, who inhabit the elevations of the park. 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. They will avoid hot summer days, preferring to rest in a shady tree or lounge in cooler areas. Consider hanging items at least 10 feet up or investing in a bear-proof cooler or storage container. 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. Many are hit by cars and become easy targets for poachers. This 1-way loop drive is filled with historical sights and stunning nature. Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack. Bearpacker is Backpackers annual celebration of bear safety, science, and stories. Bears have a keen sense of smell and can be very curious. Here are some easy tips to remember when hiking, picnicking, camping or visiting The Smoky Mountains. " The black bear is the symbol of the Smokies ," says wildlife biologist Bill Stiver. Remember, "a fed bear is a dead bear". Some Timber Rattlesnakes have a solid black hue and can grow up to 4.5 feet long. Theyre just one of the many animals that live in the national park, but they are by far the most popular! Insects and animal carrion provide valuable sources of protein for bears. However, bears in the Great Smoky Mountains Park are wild creatures and can be dangerously unpredictable. Bear Safety: Rule #1 Keep your distance. When visitors head to the Smoky Mountains, it is common they stay in one of their authentic cabins. Especially a mother with cubs. 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! 4. 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. Photo: "Clingmans Dome (AKA Smoky Dome) - Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee, USA" by jody.claborn is marked with CC PDM 1.0. The park has done many things to make it easier for you to protect bears. as adults. The mountain Cougars seem shy and withdrawn, so they tend to stay out of sight, but they are dangerous. 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. 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! 2. Hikers on their morning trips or afternoon hikes often report seeing black bears hanging out in the tree line. 4 Interesting Facts About Salamanders in the Great Smoky Mountains, Top 3 Safety Tips About Viewing the Smoky Mountain Wildlife, Top 3 Reasons Why You Can See Salamanders in Great Smoky Mountains National Park During the Winter, 3 Reasons Why Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains Dont Truly Hibernate, Top 6 Historical Places in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, How to See Your Favorite Smoky Mountain Wildlife in the National Park, Top 10 Things to Know About the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Before You Go. 2. Rocky Vs Smoky Mountains which is Better to Visit? Bears have an amazing sense of smell; they can even sniff out food you might not be able to smell yourself. The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a beautiful 5.5 mile one-way loop road that starts and ends in Gatlinburg, making it convenient for those who want to make a quick side trip from downtown Gatlinburg! This is the only Mountain lion in the Smoky Mountains. This is a medium to a large venomous snake that lives above 3,000 feet. 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 . While bears can be found throughout Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cades Cove is one of the best places to spot them due to its wide, open valley. Keep this fact in mind when planning your hikes and activities. 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? Its common knowledge that black bears can be seen all over Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains National Park, we were excited to see one right out in the creek outside of our hotel room. This charming four-bedroom, five-bathroom cabin has plenty of space for . The Bears are mainly vegetarian; they like to eat plants - squawroot, insects, wild berries, and nuts are their favorite. The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. You may notice some brown fur around the black fur, too. 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. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. 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). They also feast on dead animals and prey on deer. 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. Results of these efforts are very encouraging. Commonly born in pairs, the cubs will remain with the mother for about eighteen months or until she mates again. Use binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals. The Little River Road is an excellent place to see bears as the road runs parallel to the Little River for 18 miles, traveling between the Cades Cove park entrance in Townsend to the Sugarlands Visitor Center in Gatlinburg. There are many places because they are literally all over the place. 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. Bears should also be treated with caution and respect. A bear sighting at the GSMNP makes for a great memory that wont soon be forgotten. Poaching: Unfortunately, the lure of high profits on international markets encourages the poaching of black bears. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. This equals a population density of approximately two bears per square mile. 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. It's essential to keep your distance for your own safety, the safety of those around you, and the bear itself. [NPS]. Bears in the Smokies are unusual in that they often den high above the ground in standing hollow trees. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Bears unafraid to approach humans teach this behavior to other bears and become a threat to the public, which often leads to euthanasia. Still, they will also give off warning signals before striking, that infamous loud rattle that lets you know you are too close. However, if you are ever attacked you should not play dead. The Great Smokies are referred to as the Salamander Capital due to their abundance in the Southern Mountains. Act together as a group if you have companions. They feed on mice, small birds, snakes, frogs, and insects. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk. While seeing these creatures is never guaranteed, there are places where you are more likely to see them. Learn what to do if you see a bear by watching this short video. How Common are Bear Attacks in Smoky Mountains? A Grand View Lodge #540. Do not give up and let the bear think you are food. These Appalachian Mountains not only offer us a view of the picturesque beauty of nature but also let us experience its thrill by capturing the animals in the wild; in their natural habitat. Source: @carlosfineartphoto Most of these incidents were related to hungry bears attacking humans for their food. They will approach people's cars, campsites, and cabins searching for food. At this number, this creates a population density of two bears per square mile. The Timber Rattler is not known to be lethal. Throw non-food objects like rocks or sticks. You are more likely to see them during the early morning or the late afternoon when they forage for food. A Guide to the Road to Nowhere, Smoky Mountains. Another place where many bear sightings are reported is Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Make yourself look bigger to the bear. Humans are discouraged from feeding them because it reduces their lifespan significantly. If you spot one while hiking in the Park, stay away or back away slowly and calmly to avoid a wild chase. ; t forget to Read about bear safety: Rule # 1 keep your for! 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