Black bears are the only bear species found in Tennessee, and their population has seen a significant increase in recent decades. Estimates suggest between 5,000 to 6,000 black bears inhabit the state, with numbers continuing to grow. This resurgence is a testament to conservation efforts, highlighting the need for residents and visitors to understand how to safely share the landscape with these animals.
Tennessee’s Bear Habitats
The American black bear (Ursus americanus) historically roamed throughout Tennessee and much of North America. Today, their primary populations in Tennessee are concentrated in two main regions: the Appalachian Population, located along the Tennessee-North Carolina border, and the Cumberland Population, found in the northern part of the Cumberland Plateau, bordering Kentucky. These areas offer the dense forest cover and mountainous terrain that black bears prefer.
A large concentration of black bears resides within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, home to an estimated 1,500 to 1,900 bears. The Cherokee National Forest also supports a substantial bear population. While historically confined to eastern Tennessee, black bears are now expanding their range into suitable habitats in Middle and even West Tennessee as their populations recover.
Black bears are omnivores, primarily eating plant materials like berries, nuts, roots, and grasses, with acorns being important in the late season. They also consume insects, small rodents, bird eggs, and carrion. An adult male black bear in Tennessee can weigh up to 500 pounds, while females are around 100 pounds, both nearly doubling their weight by autumn.
Coexisting with Black Bears
Living and recreating in areas with black bears requires understanding their behavior and minimizing conflicts. Never intentionally feed or approach bears, as this habituates them to human food sources. Such dependency often leads to significantly shorter lifespans for the animals.
Proper management of food and garbage is important for preventing human-bear interactions. All food, trash, and pet food should be secured in bear-resistant containers with tight-fitting lids, or stored indoors where bears cannot access them. Grills and smokers should be thoroughly cleaned after use and stored securely, as residual food odors can attract bears from a distance. When camping, food should be stored inside a vehicle or, in backcountry, suspended from a tree using a bear bag system (at least 10 feet off the ground and 8 feet from the trunk) or use a bear-resistant canister.
If you encounter a black bear, remain calm and avoid running, as this can trigger a chase instinct. Make your presence known by talking calmly, yelling, or making loud noises, and raise your arms to appear larger. Slowly back away while facing the bear, increasing the distance between yourself and the animal. If a bear continues to approach or acts aggressively, throwing rocks or sticks can help deter it. In the rare event of a black bear attack, fighting back aggressively is the recommended response, using any available object to defend yourself.