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
“Gatlinburg bears aren’t Winnie the Pooh. They’re wild, and we need to remember that”
September 3, 2024 | Knoxville News Sentinel
Knoxville, TN
“City of Gatlinburg, Smokies BearWise Taskforce, TWRA to host educational Bear Management Open House”
July 23, 2024 | City of Gatlinburg, Press Release
Gatlinburg, TN
Black Bear Support Biologist Janelle Musser of Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency gives information about living and recreating in bear country:
The BearWise® program was developed by black bear biologists and is supported by State wildlife agencies. BearWise provides sound information and smart solutions that help people, neighborhoods, and communities prevent problems and keep bears wild.
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.
