Black bears are a prominent wildlife species in Tennessee. Understanding their presence is important for conservation and human interaction. This article explores the state’s black bear population and offers guidance on sharing space with these animals.
Tennessee’s Black Bear Population and Where They Live
Tennessee is home to a robust and growing black bear population, estimated between 5,500 and 6,000 individuals. This number reflects a significant recovery from historical lows in the 1960s. The primary concentration of bears is in the eastern part of the state, particularly along the Tennessee-North Carolina border.
Two main populations exist: the Appalachian and the Cumberland. Appalachian bears inhabit areas like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Cherokee National Forest, extending into surrounding counties such as Blount, Cocke, and Sevier. The Cumberland population resides in the northern Cumberland Plateau, near the Tennessee-Kentucky border. These regions provide suitable habitat, and the species continues to expand its range, with sightings further west.
Understanding Bear Population Changes and State Management
Several factors influence Tennessee’s black bear population. Habitat availability, including dense forests and diverse food sources, directly affects bear growth rates, reproductive success in females, and cub survival. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) actively monitors and manages these populations to ensure their long-term health and sustainability.
TWRA employs various methods for population assessment, including population reconstruction. This involves analyzing harvest data, including tooth collection from hunted bears, to estimate population trends. The agency also collaborates with wildlife agencies in neighboring states like North Carolina and Georgia through the Southern Appalachian Black Bear Study Group. Regulated hunting serves as a management tool, helping to control population numbers and minimize human-bear conflicts. Hunting seasons are set, often later in the year, to protect breeding females who typically enter hibernation earlier.
Sharing Space with Black Bears
As black bear populations expand, understanding how to coexist is important. Preventing bears from associating humans with food is a primary concern, as this can lead to conflicts. Bears possess an exceptional sense of smell, capable of detecting food odors from over a mile away.
Practicing “BearWise” habits helps minimize these interactions. This includes:
Securing all trash in bear-resistant containers.
Storing pet food indoors.
Removing bird feeders when bears are active, as these can become unintended food sources.
Cleaning and storing grills securely after use.
If encountering a bear, remain calm, avoid running, and make your presence known by yelling and appearing as large as possible. Maintaining a safe distance, generally 150 feet, is recommended to avoid disturbing these wild animals.