TWRA Reminds People: Do Not Touch Bears in the Smokies!

A guide to not getting attacked, eaten, arrested, or infamous on the internet while on your trip to the Smokies

There are a lot of sentences I never thought I’d have to type, but right there at the top of the list is the following:

Don’t touch wild bears.

We learn a lot of things in our lives, but one of the first is that giant fuzzy killing machines are not good for petting. Bears are now pretty frequently seen in the wilds of the mountains, unlike when I was young, when bear sightings were rare. But the bears are not confining themselves to the forest. They come down into town, often in search of readily available human food that persists despite efforts to cut off their supply.

There are certainly times the bears are more frequently seen in town, but they’re almost always just out of sight. Recently, bears were spotted walking through the center of town before the Christmas parade, on the Roof of the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, and teaching someone to keep their hands to themselves near the Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen.

Why are there so many bear sightings?

Part of it is technology. We simply have more ability to record bear sightings than we used to. The result is we’re more aware of bear sightings now than we used to be.

But, in addition to my own anecdotal experience, the Smokies bear population is growing as are the towns surrounding the Smokies. Less habitat plus more bears plus access to food means there’s going to be more human-bear interaction than there used to be. In the last couple of years, I can attest that I’ve seen more bears in the wild than I did in my first couple of decades living in the shadow of the park.

Finally, it’s that time of the year. You can spot a bear year-round in the Smokies. The black bears don’t hibernate; they just rest really hard, entering a state called torpor. But as winter approaches and ends, the bears are hungry and looking for food. That hunger will drive them into places they might not normally go.

What happened with the guy who touched the bear?

It’s not 100 percent clear yet. The bear was crossing the street towards the Candy Kitchen and probably the alleyway that leads to what is my most frequently used parking lot in the Smokies. The man followed the bear onto the sidewalk near the Candy Kitchen, reached out, and touched its side.

The bear reared, roared, and – for a second – looked like it might take a hunk out of the man who somewhat jokingly took a fighting stance. The bear then turned and continued down the alleyway with the man – who turned back briefly, continuing to follow it. A family that was walking down the alley managed to get out of the way.

But – was the guy protecting the family?

Maybe. Some people on the internet think so. But I don’t. I’m not sure if, from his position on the road, he could have seen the family. Also, the way the guy reacted when the bear turned on him did not suggest to me that he was acting out of protective instinct. My guess is that the guy is either an idiot or was emboldened by liquid courage. He almost sent an angry bear after the customers of the Sweet, the family walking through the alley, or anyone behind him, whom he definitely could not have seen.

And do you know a better way to help in that situation? “Hey! Heads up! There’s a bear coming.”

Is the TWRA happy with the man’s actions?

That would be a hard no. The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency had to announce that people shouldn’t touch wild bears.

“First things first, do not approach bears and do not touch bears. If you are not a trained wildlife professional and in a working capacity, you should not be trying to move bears, escort bears or do anything like that,” said TWRA Black Bear biologist Janelle Musser told WATE. “You should just be responsible for yourself and the people you are with.

“Back away from the animal and give the animal a clear escape route. If you feel like you need to alert others to the presence of the bear, use your voice more than anything else because you may accidentally force that bear into someone else,” Musser added.

Other agencies have warned the public about how to handle encounters with bears

The Dandridge Police Department recently sent out tips after a bear was reported around town.

They include:

• Secure all trash in containers and keep it inside until pickup day, not at the road.
• Remove bird feeders – bears are highly attracted to seeds and suet.
• Keep pet food indoors and clean up outdoor grills after use.
• Do not leave food in vehicles, even overnight.
• Give bears space – never approach, feed, or attempt to scare them off.
• If you see a bear, stay calm, make noise, and give it an escape route.

“Bears typically move on when they don’t find an easy meal. Working together, we can help ensure our community stays safe while respecting the wildlife that shares our area. Remember, we are in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, where bears and other wildlife live. Be thankful we live in such a beautiful place and that we get to experience an occasional sighting,” the department said.

“Seeing a bear is not a reason to call 911.”

Why do people continue to overstep bear boundaries?

It’s not just bears. People will ignore the hurricane evacuation warning. They’ll run to the store with a tornado warning on. They’ll ignore rip tide flags, try to get their pictures with a gator, or pet a buffalo. I suppose that for many people it’s one thing to know that something is dangerous and another thing to see it up close and personal.;

That’s the one good thing that I hope will come from that video. The way the bear turns and roars gives you a little indication of the athleticism we’re dealing with. This isn’t just so slow, lumbering beast. It’s quick, athletic, and impossibly strong. That guy took a fighting stance in a joking manner. But if the bear wanted to, it could have turned him into hamburger more quickly than any of us can imagine.

What will happen to the bear? What will happen to the man?

The bear had two tags in its ears, indicating it had interacted with the TWRA twice and returned to town. In fact, TWRA officials think it’s possible that it was the same bear that got on the Bubba Gump roof. At least initially, the TWRA was not planning to track down the bear and try to relocate it. They took a similar position to the man, who apparently violated no laws, a situation I would certainly hope lawmakers will take up in the next session.

Have you encountered a bear in the Smokies? Let us know about the experience in the comments and on the socials!