Tennessee Wildlife Resources biologists have started their bear survey season on the Cumberland Plateau.
Black bear surveys are primarily done through bait stations where signs of bear are collected. The bait station index, or survey, allows biologists to know if populations are increasing, decreasing or stable. This is a newer study on the Cumberland Plateau with biologists in their second year of data collection.
Generally speaking, most Tennesseans like black bears and would like to see their populations grow across the state. A 2012 survey shows residents don’t mind when bears are on their neighbor’s property, but they don’t necessarily want black bears on their property. Unfortunately, this isn’t how it works. If you’re neighbor has black bear, chances are you will too. Black bears can have enormous ranges and this is the time of year when young males are spreading out, looking for their own territory. This is one reason TWRA biologists survey bears this time of year. It doesn’t tell biologists the exact number of bear, but it does tell them the areas bear are utilizing along with information regarding whether the population is increasing or not.
Humans and bear conflict is a difficult subject. Bears will be bears. They’re not going to readily change their behavior and they can’t read a manual about living with humans. However, humans can change their behavior and this is the only known and tested solution to successfully living with bears. Humans must change their ways. This most often means keeping your yard free of any bear attractants. Bears are attracted to and will return to easy meals. When a bear learns humans are a source of food and continues going towards humans in search of food, the chances of negative or worse, dangerous interactions increases.
Bears' noses are known to be seven times more powerful than that of a bloodhound. Imagine how irresistible our yards are to a bear. You know how you feel when you smell someone grilling? Imagine the amazing, sensitive nose of a bear smelling the same thing. Removing attractants and bear proofing our yards can have an impact on reducing negative human bear interactions.
Keep grills inside a storage area or garage. If you do feed pets outside, remove any uneaten food after feedings. Pick ripe vegetables quickly and consider only feeding birds in the coldest months. If you compost or have other permanent attractants, consider placing electric fencing around them. Use bear proof containers and trash receptacles. Lastly, scan your yard often for attractants.
If you do encounter a bear, never run. Face the bear, look big and back away slowly. Put items such as a tree or other structure between you and the bear. If you find a bear’s behavior abnormal i.e. it’s not afraid of humans or looks odd in appearance, call your TWRA regional office.
Feeding wildlife is typically to the detriment of wildlife. TWRA recognizes folks feed wildlife out of the goodness of their hearts, but it never ends positively for a mammal. The best thing possible is for wildlife to fear humans and to go in the opposite direction of humans. This is always the goal. This keeps everyone safe, the human and the animal.
For more information visit: tnwildlife.org