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Middle TN Bears: Don't Feed Them!
8 Jun
Summary
- Black bears are appearing in Middle Tennessee counties like Hickman and Wilson.
- Wildlife officials urge residents not to leave food sources accessible to bears.
- Report bear sightings to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency 'I Saw A Bear' system.
Black bears, typically found on the Cumberland Plateau and in East Tennessee, have recently been observed in multiple Middle Tennessee counties. Sightings have been reported in Hickman, Dickson, Wilson, and Sumner counties, with occasional appearances in Nashville, as confirmed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency in a June 5 news release. Yearling bears disperse in spring seeking new home ranges, which can lead them into less common areas.
Wildlife officials stress that black bears do not view humans as prey but are drawn to readily available food like unsecured garbage, pet food, and bird seed. A lingering bear indicates it has found consistent attractants. The agency encourages residents to learn about coexistence through resources at BearWise.org and to report all bear sightings via their 'I Saw A Bear' system. These reports aid biologists in tracking bear populations and movements across the state.
