Posted on 09/08/2023 6:42:54 AM PDT by SJackson
Wildlife officials are once again urging people in Sevier County to keep their distance from bears after a concerning video from Gatlinburg over the weekend.
The video shot on Sept. 3 in downtown Gatlinburg shows people getting a little too close for comfort to a black bear.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency says there are proper steps you should take if you find yourself in this situation.
While spotting a bear in Downtown Gatlinburg is not uncommon, TWRA spokesperson Matt Cameron said some of the people in the video were dangerously close.
“When they started approaching it and chasing it with the camera and all that, it really put them in a dangerous situation,” Cameron said.
He said that this is the time of year when you’ll see more bears as they look for excess food and prepare for hibernation season.
“Other than it being in the middle of town, it acted normal to me. Once again, it was looking around and looking for a place to where it could just get away from all these people and it didn’t feel comfortable where it was at and a lot of times when you surround an animal like that and corner it, it can attack.“
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Should have turned into bear steaks and a rug.
Bears.... Top of the food chain.
Maybe they’re going for a Darwin Award.
It’s better to let them win one.
Da Bears!
Just about every shop in Gatlinburg has bear souvenirs for sale. The bear probably felt comfortably at home
You wouldn’t have to tell me twice...
Yea, Grizzly bears are. Black bears like this one are basically big rodents.
We’ll be camping this weekend in bear country. Never, ever ever take any food in your tent.
Anything that is smellable needs to be locked in the car, hung in a bear bag or in a bear proof container. (bears know how to open car doors. I know guys who found out the hard way)
In grizzly country, all food prep and eating is done far from camp. Change clothes at the food area before bunking down.
Bears are actually very good messengers of nature.
They tell you,
“Nature don’t give a shirt about you.”
And then the bear eats you.
Always good to remember that.
I was born and raised on the edge of the Smoky Mtns Nat’l Park....Been around black bears my whole life...never had any trouble with them...Camping, fishing, hiking....
If I went camping in grizzly bear territory, it would be camping in a motel......
Well, a hunter here in michigan about 6 years back now, sitting on a stump, heard nothing. The black bear came from behind and clocked the man. No bites, big bruise. Estimated weight of bear right around 200 lbs.
Tourists visiting Gatlinburg think that the wildlife is part of the Chamber of Commerce provided attraction. They assume the bears are pets and available for selfies.
Six years ago. Billions of hours of people in Michigan forests since then.
You kind of made my point. Black bear attacks are pretty rare.
Nah, he was probably looking for what was left of his long lost uncle. He could smell him somewhere.
Bear just wanted a nice pancake breakfast and some fudge to take home to the wife.
Black Bears Matter.
Maybe it’s a sign that the country is going into a bear market!
Can’t imagine having to warn people to steer clear of bears. Do some idiots think they’re dealing with Yogi and BooBoo?
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