The “Bear” Facts
When you visit The Great Smoky Mountains National Park you always have to keep in mind we aren’t the only ones there. When we get a chance to see the native black bears we can’t help but want to get closer, get a better look, or maybe get a better picture. BUT we have to remember they are wild animals, they can go about there business like you aren’t even there or they can attack in the blink of an eye. You never know if it’s a mother bear with a cub near by or one that’s just not in a good mood. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Here are a few good tips and information in case you happen to come in contact with one of our furry friends on one of our many trails or if you are camping in the area.
Trails:
Simply getting to close to a bear can cause them to become aggressive, such behavior could be the bear charging at you, snorting or making loud noises, or something as simple as smacking the ground. All this behavior means you are closer than the bear would like, you need to put more distance between you and the bear. DO NOT run from the bear, slowly back away while continuing to watch the bear, in most cases the bear will continue to go about his business.
If the bear approaches you or is persistent in following you with out sending any warning signals (snorting, making noises, smacking ground), first just try changing the direction you are going, but DO NOT run. If that doesn’t work, as hard as it may seem to be you need to stand your ground, if the bear gets closer you need to try intimidating it, slowly try moving to higher ground (make yourself look bigger) try shouting at it, act aggressively, if in a group you should all move and act together, throw non food items such as rocks at the bear. If you have or can find a sturdy stick near by use it as a deterrent just remember do not run and do not turn your back to the bear. It will still be able to see what you’re doing but you can no longer see what it is doing.
Do not try leaving food or throwing food at a bear, this will simply create more and bigger problems, for you and the next person this bear may come in contact with. Most minor injuries caused by black bears are a result of the bear trying to get to people’s food. If you are attacked by a bear and it appears to be going after something you are in possession of that has food in it (back pack, cooler, picnic basket, ECT.) put some distance between you and the food and slowly back away, let it have it! If it doesn’t seem more interested in you and not the food, remember three things, 1) do not run or turn away, 2) make yourself look as large as possible, 3) fight back as hard as you can with anything you can get a hold of.
Campsites:
The best way to keep bears out of campsite areas is simple, don’t attract them. Do not leave food out, throw food into the woods or streams and keep the area free of trash. Keep your cooking areas and sleeping areas separate. Do not keep odorous things inside tents or sleeping bags (food, toothpaste, soap, garbage).
If a bear enters your camp, scream or yell at it, bang pots and pans together, throw anything but NOT food at it, try to be more intimidating than him. Remember DO NOT run or turn away from a bear, stand your ground.
If you are camping in the backcountry it is very important to keep a clean campsite. Everything you take in you need to bring out, food and trash. Please do not create a problem for the next person in the area, do not bury or burn your trash it will still attract bears. Proper food storage is also very important and required by park regulations. All food and other odorous items must be secured at night or when you’re not using them. There are food storage devices in some areas, if present please use them.
If you are in the backcountry areas here is a tip on how to secure items when you’re away from your campsite or at night.
Put your items in a back pack; locate two trees 10-20 feet apart that have limbs at least 15 feet high. Use a rock as a weight; throw the rope over a limb on the first tree and tie one end to the pack. Repeat this same process with the second tree, with the first rope raise the pack approximately six feet from the ground and tie it off. Pull the second rope until the pack is at least 10 feet up and evenly spaced. The pack must be at least four feet or more from the nearest limb.
When you’re out in the woods just stay alert, do not intentionally approach a bear. If you come up on one by mistake slowly back away from it. If its behavior changes at all it is telling you to stay away. Take the advice! And do not attract bears, keep a clean campsite. You need to help protect others, you should report all bear incidents to a park ranger immediately.