BearWise helps people live responsibly with bears
BearWise® is the program you can trust for sound information and smart solutions that help homeowners, businesses and communities coexist with bears.
From the BearWise Article Bank
How to be BearWise
Will bears find a good winter den at your place?
The Bear Facts
Bear den locations may surprise you
BearWise in the News
“Video shows bear crashing Gatlinburg Christmas parade. Watch”
December 10, 2025 | Knoxville News Sentinel
Knoxville, TN
“‘Irresponsible behavior;’ TWRA reacts to viral video of bear in Gatlinburg”
November 29, 2025 | WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather
Knoxville, TN
“Video captures black bear waltzing off with man’s chainsaw in Gatlinburg area”
November 6, 2025 | WBIR 10 News
Gatlinburg, TN
“Wildlife Agency Cautions Bear Appetites Are at Seasonal High”
October 1, 2025 | The Angler Magazine
Great Smoky Mountains, TN
“Bear caught on camera stealing Gatlinburg vacationers’ cooler”
September 17, 2025 | WVLT 8
Gatlinburg, TN
“Gatlinburg urges fake fall decor to prevent bear encounters”
August 20, 2025 | 10 News
Gatlinburg, TN
Six At-Home BearWise Basics
Remove bird feeders when bears are active
Birdseed and grains have lots of calories, so they’re very attractive to bears. Removing feeders is the best way to avoid creating conflicts with bears. Learn More
Clean and Store Grills, Smokers
Clean grills after each use and make sure that all grease, fat and food particles are removed. Store clean grills and smokers in a secure area that keeps bears out. Learn More
Do you spend time outdoors
…hiking, walking, cycling, jogging, camping?
Read how to Be BearWise Outdoors.
The Black Bear Comeback
Black bears once roamed over all of America’s forested lands. But after European settlement, their numbers and habitat dwindled. Thanks to new attitudes and enlightened conservation and management efforts, black bears are making a dramatic comeback over much of their historic home range. Now that bears are returning to areas they used to call home, it’s up to people and communities to learn how to peacefully coexist with these amazing animals.
BearWise shares ways to prevent conflicts, provides resources to resolve problems, and encourages community initiatives to keep bears wild.
BearWise® is a program of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. Read more About BearWise.
