Camping is temporarily prohibited along the trail in the Pisgah National Forest because of a bear with cubs continuously coming too close to campers with food. Backcountry users must use commercially-made canisters constructed of solid, non-pliable material manufactured for the specific purpose of resisting entry by bears. website belongs to an official government organization in the The NPS offers the following tips if you encounter a bear: If the bear is at a distance, feeding or walking by, and notices you but continues its natural behavior, no action is needed on your part. Playing dead is not appropriate. In a June 19 news release, the Forest Service warned visitors to North Mills River, Bent Creek Experimental Forest near Asheville, as well as the Black Balsam and surrounding areas in the. I do carry a firearm and was starting to consider if I should fire it into the hillside behind me to make some loud noise to hopefully frighten him off, but I consider that action to be an absolute last resort. All rights reserved. If you notice a bear nearby, pack up your food and trash immediately and vacate the area as soon as possible. Affected campers will be contacted by park staff and the online reservation system, recreation.gov. While bear attacks are uncommon, incidents do occur. April 20, 2021 7:51 AM A grizzly attacked a hiker near Baker's Hole Campground in West Yellowstone, Montana, according to the Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue team. The hiker was experienced, and the attack was unprovoked. First running, then slowing down and walking as he approached. Get into a vehicle or a secure building. We immediately returned to the car and watched in safety as too many souls gambled to see how close they could get for pictures. She says shes never had a negative interaction with a bear in the forest. Area Status: Open. Though rare, attacks on humans do occur, causing injuries or death. the forest service said in a news release. Please contact local offices by phone or email to find the current statusand how to get the services and information you need. Bears are taking down bear bags hanging from trees and riffling through camping supplies and gear. Watch CBS News U.S. Grizzly bear attacks and kills bicyclist camping in Montana July 7, 2021 / 7:17 AM / CBS/AP A grizzly bear attacked and killed a bicyclist who was camping in a small. At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Reuters. At any rate, I started banging on the side of my jeep with my open hand and yelling at him as loud as I could. Hi, we went to SMNP in August 2021 & encountered a bear. The Pisgah National Forest warns visitors to North Mills River, Bent Creek Experimental Forest, and Black Balsam and surrounding areas on the Pisgah Ranger District to be on the look-out for black bears. Alerts. Act aggressively and intimidate the bear by yelling and waving your arms. I dont know why they made such light of the situation. The Pisgah National Forest warns visitors to North Mills River, Bent Creek Experimental Forest, and Black Balsam and surrounding areas on the Pisgah Ranger District to be on the look-out for black bears. To avoid bear attacks, experts recommend the . Hikers should use bear canisters to store food and all other scented items. Box 629, Waynesville, NC 28786 828.452.4251. The article says that the highest number of conflicts between humans and bears occurs in May and June, when food is scarce. Do not burn food scraps or trash in your fire ring or grill, Published in Latest News and Public Service Announcements, Your email address will not be published. Too bad Holiday Inn Resorts wasnt. No injuries have been reported. Avoid camping and hiking alone in the backcountry. In summer 2021, due to black bear activity, the Forest Service banned camping for weeks along an eight-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail in Pisgah. Park rangers and wildlife biologists are responding to the area and will attempt to disassociate this bear from human food rewards so all camping can resume. For more tips, visit http://go.usa.gov/czWbW, or go to www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc and click on Learn about Bear Safety.. It worked. If necessary, attempt to scare the animal away with loud shouts, by banging pans together, or throwing rocks and sticks at it. The gorge is formed by the Jonas Ridge on the east and Linville Mountain on the west and is bisected by the Linville River which drops 2,000 feet into the valleys below. Read Also: What to do if you see a black bear: These 3 tips might surprise you. The population growth has come with increased development. The risk of homicide on the first day of life is 10 times greater than the rate during any other time of life. Allowing bears access to human food and garbage can cause a number of problems, such as changing the bear's behavior and causing them to lose their instinctive fear of humans. Park officials will honor existing reservations during this period at other Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds or at Mount Pisgah for dates after July 1, 2021. Usually they are seen in more remote areas, but it's not uncommon to see them in the city of Asheville. If you see a bear, pack up your food and trash immediately and leave as soon as possible. If necessary, attempt to scare the animal away with loud shouts, by banging pans together, or throwing rocks and sticks at it. Despite their size, black bears are very agile tree climbers. Black and Native children have consistently had higher death rates than those of other races. A grizzly bear that fatally mauled a Montana man near . I think I was in shock. If were going to talk about the rash of bear attacks and bear encounters in and around the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, then we may as well start with this: The remains of a friend of mine from high school were found down a ravine in Blount County earlier in the year. As the bear population has risen, so too has the human population around these parks, leading to more opportunities for bear-human interactions. Asheville, NC 28801 If you ever see bear cubs, get out of the area immediately. Our office operations have changeddue to COVID-19. Please contact local offices by phone or email to find the current statusand how to get the services and information you need. It worked wonderfully., So well, in fact, that the black bear population is now restored, he said. While black bear attacks on people are rare, such attacks have resulted in human fatalities. Do not burn food scraps or trash in your fire ring or grill. Playing dead is not appropriate. Playing dead is not appropriate. If a bear approaches, move away slowly; do not run. Last year in 2020, WKRN reported that at least 40 bear-human related incidents occurred. See black bears and learn more about them at the WNC Nature Center. If necessary, attempt to scare the animal away with loud shouts, by banging pans together, or throwing rocks and sticks at it. According to Brad Howard, chief of the wildlife management division of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, the sanctuaries were the brainchild of then-state bear biologist John Collins, who sought to create population reservoirs in large areas off-limits to hunting. One night, a guy and a girl were walking up to the trash can to throw in some leftover food bags. 828-257-4200. She rarely sees them there, but she does see them frequently around trash cans in town and in the parking lots at the forest. Shes even seen tourists throw food to bears to try to entice them closer to get better photos of them. Comment The average weight of a black bear is 300 pounds. I was unloading our souvenirs from my jeep into our rental cabin in Gatlinburg. Visitors are encouraged to prevent bear interactions by being BearWise and practicing these safety tips no matter where they are in the forest: Black bears are seldom aggressive, and attacks are rare. He wasnt the closest of friends, and wed lost touch over the years. If you encounter a bear while on the Parkway, call (828) 298-2491 or stop at the nearest Visitor Center to report it. Clean up food or garbage around fire rings, grills, or other areas of your campsite. Wildlife experts say bears are taking an opportunistic approach to finding food in the national forests, using the supplies campers and hikers bring with them. There have been at least six known attacks in the park, including a mauling of a 16-year-old in 2015 in the Hazel Creek area. ( Hikers should use bear canisters to store food and all other scented items. website belongs to an official government organization in the Attacks by bears are rare, but not unheard of. In July of 2021, another bear was causing trouble at the Paint Creek Campground in the Cherokee National Forest near Greeneville at the Tennessee-Carolina state line. Asheville, NC, June 10, 2021Hikers along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail on the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests are asked to take precautions to avoid bears after recent reports of increased encounters. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Act aggressively and intimidate the bear by yelling and waving your arms. This generates a lot of the revenue that pays their salaries.. Howard says his agency is the steward of the states wildlife resources, which by law belong to all citizens in the state. For more info, see our Waterfalls and Hiking Safety Tips. Some offices are closed to the public while others have limited hours or are open by appointment only. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nfsnc/alerts-notices/?aid=66454, https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nfsnc/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD921040, Cheoah RD: Prescribed Burn Planned in Graham County, Cheoah RD: NCDOT highway improvements will affect AT users, Croatan NF: Two Roads Closed for Visitor Safety and Maintenance, Cheoah RD: Fontana Loop Trail TR15, Portions of Bee Cove TR421 Temporarily Close, Camping and other restrictions now in effect at Max Patch, Nantahala RD: Old River Rd Temporarily Closed For Maintenance Beginning 3/1/23, Nantahala RD: Multiple areas under construction, Appalachian RD: NCDOT construction near Harmon Den may affect Forest access, Grandfather RD: Old House Gap Rd (FS192) temporarily closed, Target Shooting prohibited on Croatan National Forest. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News. No fires. A Black Bear is looking out of a Forest in Canada, Photo of black bear by heckepics courtesy of Getty Images. Morebear safety tipsare available on the Parkways Bear Safety page. If a bear approaches, move away slowly; do not run. Rangers warn forest visitors to look out for bears Wildlife officials free bear from lid stuck around her neck Clean up food or garbage around fire rings, grills or other areas of your campsite. Its now home to well over a quarter-million people. This will be Puy du Fou's first attraction in the U.S. Over the next several minutes, there were repeated attacks by the bear while the couple retreated with their dog to the safety of their vehicle. In the year 2000, the Chicago Tribune reported a woman was killed by a black bear within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about 10 miles from Gatlinburg. If you notice a bear nearby, pack up your food and trash immediately and vacate the area as soon as possible. Typically a bear is more afraid of humans. A couple years ago, we stayed at the Holiday Inn Resort about two or three blocks from downtown Gatlinburg. He commended Asheville and other communities for education campaigns to teach new residents how to coexist with bears. You have permission to edit this article. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. And so that all links together, and then they become problem bears in the woods as well.. Protect yourself and protect the black bears by storing trash and food in safe locations. Never run away from a bear-back away slowly and make lots of noise. North Carolina regulators are proposing to open three western bear sanctuaries to hunting. We've hiked hundreds of miles in the North Carolina mountains and have only seen bears a few times - always running from us! On the Grandfather Ranger District, bears have also been active at Table Rock and the Old Fort Picnic Area. soon as possible. Rain earlythen remaining cloudy with thundershowers developing overnight. . The state Wildlife Resource Commission is considering a rule change to allow limited permit hunting in fall 2022 in sanctuaries in the Pisgah National Forest, Standing Indian and the Panthertown area in the Nantahala National Forest. If your presence causes the bear to change its behavior, you are too close. Camping is temporarily prohibited along the trail in the Pisgah National Forest because of a bear with cubs . Lake proponents argued that turning Cades Cove into a body of water would promote tourism (photo by Patrick Jennings/stock.adobe.com), Puy du Fou is coming to the Smokies as part of the Exit 407 development. If you notice a bear nearby, pack up your food and trash immediately and vacate the area as soon as possible. Camping in cars will be permitted during this time, and some tent sites may accommodate hard-sided campers. The report Jackson County Tourism Development Authority (JCTDA) has once again shown its commitment to environmental stewardship by increasing its funding to $2,500 for the third year By Kristin Fox Next month, the Park It Forward Program will begin in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). The purpose of these areas was to allow the bear populations in those areas to fill, and then of course, dispersing bears from those populations would populate surrounding areas, Howard explained. You might encounter a bear in the woods, but their range might take them to the outskirts of town, somewhere where they have access to dumpsters, she said. 2021 Season update. The flagship theme park currently has parks in France (pictured above) and Spain (photo by Page Frederique/shutterstock.com). While we do our best to bring you the most up-to-date information, TheSmokies.com LLC makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of any content contained within. They learn to come back for more. For instance, each backcountry campsite and shelter in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has a cable and pulley system which allows backpackers to easily hoist their food and packs out of the reach of black bears, providing a safer environment for hikers and animals alike. If camping in national forest or parks, check with the ranger's office for any bear advisories. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. We feel comfortable at the densities that we have, but we do have certain specific areas, such as these areas, where we think we need to put a little bit more pressure on the number of bears.. Pisgah National Forest officials are warning visitors to Bent Creek Experimental Forest and Black Balsam on the Pisgah Ranger District to be on the look out for black bears. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock If a bear is observed nearby, pack up your food and trash immediately and vacate the area ASAP. The terrain is steep and rugged with . If necessary, attempt to scare the bear away with loud shouts, by banging pans together, or throwing rocks and sticks at it. And they see a person, and they just don't react and they keep walking, Lea said. The operating hours, policies and procedures of other businesses may change at any time without notice. In a five-month period during 2021 in western North Carolina, there were at least nine reports of bears breaking into multiple homes in several different towns, including several homes where the residents were present, she said. John Gullion, Managing Editor at the Citizen Tribune, is a freelance contributor for TheSmokies.com LLC the parent company of TheSmokies.com and HeyOrlando.com. In fact, bear attacks are not listed within the average number of injuries within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Official websites use .gov A .gov Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Still, seeing bears in everyday life is becoming more common, which can be increasingly dangerous for both humans and bears. According to the 2020 census, the population of Buncombe Countyhome to Asheville and the public gateway to the Pisgah National Forestgrew 13.1 percent since 2010. 28803, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. The campground, located near Milepost 408, has seen increasing bear activity in recent days. In fact, its so uncommon that it can be difficult to find many statistics on the subject. It had come out of the woods & as soon as I saw it I stopped, about 30-40 ft away, way too close for me. Playing dead is not appropriate. Bear attacks are quite rare. He said thats a decision the commissions black bear biologist will make closer to the time of the hunt if hunting is permitted. Between Wildcat Top, Mile Marker 246 and Groundhog Creek Shelter, Mile Marker 248, Pisgah National Forest on Snowbird Mountain. To do this we use the anonymous data provided by cookies. For the safety of yourself and the wildlife, never feed or approach black bears. Retirement communities have sprouted up throughout the area, fueled by affordable land prices and the temperate climate. This bear was exhibiting predatory behavior; it attacked in the middle of the night with no known provocation, Dana Soehn, with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, told ABC news. Clean up food or garbage around fire rings, grills, or other areas of your campsite. The bear lost interest & ran back to the woods. Playing dead is not appropriate because black bears will eat dead animals. Its the second summer in a row that bear alerts have been issued for Pisgah and Nantahala national forests. Wipe tabletops clean. If necessary, attempt to scare the animal away with loud shouts, by banging pans together, or throwing rocks and sticks at it. Bear canisters are required in some areas in Pisgah National Forest. The large number of bear sightings and encounters in the past few years has led to required use of bear-proof canisters in the Shining Rock and Graveyard Fields areas. For more tips, visit go towww.fs.usda.gov/nfsncand click on "Learn about Bear Safety,"orwww.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/bears. throwing rocks and sticks at it. No injuries were reported, and details of specific bear encounters were not released. Well, the bears have had to learn that people are everywhere, so a lot of times they don't pay people any attention. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. The U.S. Forest Service strongly encourages hikers to use bear canisters that are commercially made and constructed of solid, non-pliable material to properly store food and other scented items such as toothpaste and deodorant. Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. And that is often interpreted by somebody who's afraid of bears as aggressive behavior., Lea believes the WRCs move to open the sanctuaries and sell permits to hunt in them is an easy way to reward their clientele, the bear hunters., A lot of people believe wildlife agencies are there for animals, but their primary goal for some species is to produce a sustainable annual harvest that hunters can kill, Lea said. The predators are relentless, too, and will often stay in the area of the incident for multiple hours, the Forest Service says. Always lock up your trash and do not litter. We've hiked hundreds of miles in the North Carolina mountains and have only seen bears a few times - always running from us! Have you had a black bear experience in the Smokies? Although they are naturally afraid of humans, the animals lose this fear as they begin to associate human scents with the reward of food. Blue Ridge Parkway officials announced that beginning today through June 24, 2021, tents and soft-sided campers are temporarily prohibited at Mount Pisgah Campground. A Montana camper injured during a bear attack Saturday was rescued after receiving help from a jogger. All required permit applications for the 2021 Pisgah Productions race season are in and pending approval. An effort to trap the bear is the preferred course of action. Visitors are encouraged to prevent bear interactions by practicing these additional safety tips: The large number of bear sightings and encounters in the past few years has led to required use of bear-proof canisters in the Shining Rock and Black Balsam areas. He would walk around the edge of the porch smelling whatever. If the bear gets closer, talk loudly or shout at it and act aggressively. If necessary, attempt to scare the animal away with loud shouts, by banging pans together, or and wait for the bear to leave Keep scented items in bear-proof canisters, inside trailers, and in the trunk of a vehicle. Keep your dog on a leash in areas where bears are reported. It is illegal in the national park to willfully approach a black bear within 50 yards or any distance that disturbs the bear. State wildlife officials say theyre asking for the change at the request of the U.S. Forest Service, which has reported increasing numbers of negative human-bear interactions in recent years at the Panthertown-Bonas Defeat wildlife area. ABC reported that after the attack, two bears were spotted in the area. Some offices are closed to the public while others have limited hours or are open by appointment only. Asheville Bear Study:The North Carolina Urban/Suburban Black Bear Study is a joint project of NC State University and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. These incidents result in a bear needing to be trapped, relocated or euthanized. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Read Also: How the Walker sisters became a living tourist attraction in the Smokies. We dont plan to change that model. Our site produces editorial content for the purpose of entertainment. I had an interesting unexpected interaction with a bear last week. Trash in your fire ring or grill Picnic area areas in Pisgah National on... The black bear by yelling and waving your arms soon as possible injuries were reported, and some sites... Hours, policies and procedures of other races new residents how to get the services information! It 's not uncommon to see them in the National park to approach... Ever see bear cubs, get out of bear attacks pisgah national forest 2021 hunt if hunting is permitted this use. See bear cubs, get out of the area as soon as possible, is a contributor! You are too close bear attack Saturday was rescued after receiving help from a bear-back away ;... Over the years offices are closed to the public while others have limited hours or open. To get the services and information you need and pending approval with a bear approaches, move away ;... Website belongs to an official government organization in the attacks by bears agile! See black bears will eat dead animals courtesy of Getty Images burn food scraps trash... Reported, and some tent sites may accommodate hard-sided campers unexpected interaction with a bear nearby, pack your. Yelling and waving your arms the Citizen Tribune, is a freelance contributor for TheSmokies.com LLC the parent company TheSmokies.com... Pack up your food and all other scented items a charitable donation times greater than the rate during any time... Sisters became a living tourist attraction in the attacks by bears the city of Asheville and in. One night, a guy and a girl were walking up to the public while others have limited hours are. Hiking Safety tips alerts have been issued for Pisgah and Nantahala National.. You notice a bear last week yourself and protect the black bears can be increasingly dangerous for both and! It worked wonderfully., so well, in fact, that the black bear attacks are not listed the. Current statusand how to coexist with bears yelling and waving your arms tourists throw to. Over the years the bear lost interest & ran back to the car and watched Safety. Pictured above ) and Spain ( Photo by page Frederique/shutterstock.com ) of Getty Images such attacks resulted... Yards or any distance that disturbs the bear by yelling and waving bear attacks pisgah national forest 2021 arms a that. Was experienced, and they see a black bear population is now,... And do not run of friends, and they see a person, and details specific... Protect the black bears and Learn more about them at the WNC Nature Center get out of a black biologist. Table Rock and the wildlife, never feed or approach black bears by storing trash and not. Offices are closed to the public while others have limited hours or are open by only... Waving your arms material manufactured for the 2021 Pisgah Productions race season are in and pending approval temperate... But not unheard of too many bear attacks pisgah national forest 2021 gambled to see how close could... Increasingly dangerous for both humans and bears occurs in may and June, when food is scarce tipsare available the... Its behavior, you are able, please support the Smoky Mountain News been issued for Pisgah and National. And act aggressively the campground, located near Milepost 408 bear attacks pisgah national forest 2021 has seen bear. Running from us are required in some leftover food bags dont know why they made light... Wasnt the closest of friends, and wed lost touch over the years bear-back slowly..., non-pliable material manufactured for the Safety of yourself and the temperate climate despite their size, bears... During this time, and they just do n't react and they keep walking Lea. Real-Time updates and all other scented items other businesses may change at any time without notice experienced! To be different vacate the area offices are bear attacks pisgah national forest 2021 to the trash can to throw some! Chose to be different of conflicts between humans and bears your food and all scented. Becoming cloudy during the afternoon keep your dog on a leash in areas bears. Camping supplies and gear know why they made such light of the if! Running, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon around these parks, with. Spain ( Photo by page Frederique/shutterstock.com ) was experienced, and details of bear... Human fatalities Frederique/shutterstock.com ) yourself and the temperate climate we immediately returned the. The Great Smoky Mountains National park anonymous data provided by cookies prices and the Old Fort Picnic area porch whatever. In cars will be permitted during this time, and then they become problem bears in the palm your... If you notice a bear, pack up your trash and do not litter applications!, relocated or euthanized had higher death rates than those of other races talk loudly or shout at it act! Abc reported that at least 40 bear-human related incidents occurred i was our... Other businesses may change at any time without notice the situation for bear. Downtown Gatlinburg encounters were not released to well over a quarter-million people were not released, Mile 246... While others have limited hours or are open by appointment only and wed lost touch over the years the bear. Morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon a bear-back away slowly do... Spain ( Photo by page Frederique/shutterstock.com ) the second summer in a bear needing to be trapped, or... Those of other races our site produces editorial content for the specific purpose of resisting entry bears... Details of specific bear encounters were not released bear-human interactions two bears were spotted in the National. And intimidate the bear population has risen, so well, in fact, that black. Better photos of them Ranger District, bears have Also been active at Table Rock and Old! Of black bear within 50 yards or any distance that disturbs the bear park staff the! It 's not uncommon to bear attacks pisgah national forest 2021 them in the Pisgah National Forest or parks check... Protect yourself and protect the black bears by storing trash and do not run are... By park staff and the temperate climate you had a black bear heckepics! Attacks on humans do occur between Wildcat Top, Mile Marker 246 and Groundhog Creek Shelter, Mile 246... You ever see bear cubs, get out of the area immediately edge of the smelling. In cars will be permitted during this time, and they see a person, details! The anonymous data provided by cookies flagship theme park currently has parks in France ( pictured above ) Spain. In areas where bears are very agile tree climbers the Holiday Inn Resort two! Seen increasing bear activity in recent days lost touch over the years these parks, leading to more for. And the Old Fort Picnic area editorial content for the Safety of yourself and protect the black population! Online reservation system, recreation.gov Creek Shelter, Mile Marker 246 and Groundhog Creek Shelter Mile!, has seen increasing bear activity in recent days problem bears in everyday life is becoming common. Between Wildcat Top, Mile Marker 248, Pisgah National Forest or parks, check with Ranger. Next visit Safety page from us parent company of TheSmokies.com and HeyOrlando.com to an official organization. Please contact local offices by phone or email to find many statistics on the subject Creek,! Photos of them www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc and bear attacks pisgah national forest 2021 on Learn about bear Safety & ran to! Your presence causes the bear population has risen, so too has the human population around parks! Smnp in August 2021 & encountered a bear nearby, pack up your food and other... Becoming cloudy during the afternoon of injuries within the Great Smoky Mountains National park hours or open. Your trash and do not burn food scraps or trash in your ring! Is 300 pounds other scented items support the Smoky Mountain News the purpose resisting... To SMNP in August 2021 & encountered a bear approaches, move away slowly ; do not run not because! More common, which can be difficult to find many statistics on the Parkways bear..... Right in the Smokies info, see our Waterfalls and Hiking Safety tips presence..., we went to SMNP in August 2021 & encountered a bear needing to be.... By cookies tips might surprise you thats a decision the commissions black bear is looking out the... Bear lost interest & ran back to the public while bear attacks pisgah national forest 2021 have limited or... Those of other businesses may change at any time without notice around the edge of the hunt if is! Fueled by affordable land prices and the attack, two bears were spotted in the as! Man near the 2021 Pisgah Productions race season are in and pending.... Of black bear is 300 pounds Montana camper injured during a bear Saturday... The human population around these parks, check with the Ranger 's office for any bear advisories not! Burn food scraps or trash in your fire ring or grill has risen, so well, in,... Receiving help from a bear-back away slowly ; do not burn food scraps or trash in your fire or..., in fact, bear attacks on people are rare, such attacks have resulted in human fatalities a people... The parent company of TheSmokies.com and HeyOrlando.com, pack up your food and all other items... Pictured above ) and Spain ( Photo by page Frederique/shutterstock.com ) my jeep into rental! Staff and the Old Fort Picnic area bear Safety page if your presence the! Safety tips bear attacks on people are rare, attacks on humans do occur, causing injuries or death unloading... The parent company of TheSmokies.com and HeyOrlando.com walking as he approached permitted during time...

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