KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Black bears are not just a Smoky Mountains sight anymore. Knoxville and the rest of Knox County have logged more bear activity reports in recent years, and wildlife officials say the best defense is taking away whatever draws an animal into a neighborhood.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency counted Knox County among the 10 counties in the state with the most bear reports in both 2023 and 2025. The rise has been steady, and it reaches well beyond Gatlinburg and the national park.
The agency says growth of neighborhoods into bear country has brought more of the animals close to people. A bear passing through is no reason for alarm, but it should not be given a reason to stay. Bears do not see people as prey. They do learn fast, though, and one that keeps finding food in trash cans, bowls of pet food or bird feeders will start tying people to an easy meal.
That makes cleanup the first step. Residents can bring pet food inside, take down feeders and keep garbage secured until pickup day. If a bear does show up, making noise helps keep its natural fear of people intact. Homeowners have run them off with air horns, car alarms and motion-triggered alarms.
The state uses guidance from BearWise, a program bear biologists created so people get the same advice on living with bears wherever they are, and TWRA was one of its founding members.
A simple sighting can be logged on the agency’s I Saw a Bear online form, which is meant only for sightings. A bear getting into trouble with people is a different matter: in East Tennessee, call the regional TWRA line at 800-831-1174.
Section: More Knoxville TN crime news
Filed under: Knoxville TN Public Safety News
