Meet the Black Bear
Three species of bears inhabit North America. From largest to smallest, they are the polar bear, brown bear (also known as grizzly), and black bear. Of the three, the black bear is by far the most wide-ranging. In fact, these resourceful bears can be found in nearly all 50 states.
Watching a bear can be a wonderful experience. As more people live close to their woodland homes, the chances of seeing black bears are rising. The key is to stay at a safe distance and never let bears get into birdseed, garbage, or other human food that can lead them into trouble.
Learn More Here: BearWise Basics and Bear Safety Tips.
The bear essentials: Bears must find food to eat, water to drink, safe places to sleep including winter dens, and survive fierce storms or heat. The females are kept busy raising their cubs in addition to finding food for themselves. Our job is to give bears plenty of space to live and to find their own healthy, natural foods. Their safety and ours depend on how we behave in bear country.
Secure Food, Garbage, and Recycling
Secure Food, Garbage, and Recycling
Secure Food, Garbage, and Recycling
Food and food odors attract bears, so don’t reward them with easily available food, liquids or garbage.
Lock vehicles; don’t leave windows open even a crack. Remove anything with an odor (food, drinks, trash, pet food, scented products)
Clean Grills and Smokers after Use
Secure Food, Garbage, and Recycling
Secure Food, Garbage, and Recycling
Clean grills after each use and make sure that all grease, fat and food particles are removed.
Never Feed or Approach Bears
Secure Food, Garbage, and Recycling
Never Leave Pet Food Outdoors
Intentionally feeding bears or allowing them to find anything that smells or tastes like food teaches bears to approach homes and people looking for more. Bears will defend themselves if a person gets too close, so don’t risk your safety and theirs!
Never Leave Pet Food Outdoors
Alert Neighbors to Bear Activity
Never Leave Pet Food Outdoors
Feed pets indoors when possible. If you must feed pets outside, feed in single portions and remove food and bowls after feeding. Store pet food where bears can’t see or smell it.
Alert Neighbors to Bear Activity
Alert Neighbors to Bear Activity
Alert Neighbors to Bear Activity
See bears in the area or evidence of bear activity? Tell your neighbors and share info on how to avoid bear conflicts. Bears have adapted to living near people; now it’s up to us to adapt to living near bears.
City & State Laws
Alert Neighbors to Bear Activity
Alert Neighbors to Bear Activity
In Gatlinburg, it is unlawful to intentionally or knowingly feed a black bear or intentionally or knowingly leave food or garbage in a manner that attracts bears. It is also unlawful to engage in any indirect of incidental feeding of bears.
Violation of this law is punishable by a fine and may involve community service.
