Tennessee wildlife officials warn residents to be aware of bears on the move

A fed bear is a dead bear. Humans should never feed bears.

Black Bear in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

As summer approaches, activities such as hiking, camping and cookouts can bring people in close contact with black bears, and state officials want people to be aware of the dangers.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency receives more calls about black bears in the spring than any other time. It’s the time of year when bears are hungry and on the move.

Wildlife officials say young bears are seeking new territory and are often unfamiliar with terrain and human inhabitants.

“Young, second-year cubs are leaving their mothers. Females won’t go far to establish their territories,” TWRA spokeswoman Mime Barnes said. “Sometimes their territories even overlap with their mother’s.”