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Wolves were released in the smokies as a part of the smokies red wolf recovery in the early-mid 90's. By the end of decade they had all died off and the project was cancelled. Working as a research biologist were I work closely with USFWS I have heard talk another attempt in the future after more evaluations. As of right now there are no known wolf packs in WNC.
If you have solid proof, aka pictures, im sure the USFWS would love to see them.....
Very cool. No, no pictures. It was night, and they were off in the distance.But knowing coyote calls, these weren't coyotes and I've never heard dogs howl that low.One of my neighbors made a call to the park service and a ranger went door to door asking questions.
What are the red wolves still seen in Cades Cove Tn, Smoky Mountain National Park? Are they part of the original release?
We went hiking up to Rattlesnake Lodge a couple of years ago and on the way back down we came upon fresh scat on the trail and we could hear the bear crashing off down into the woods. Having grown up in that area (Ox Creek - on an apple farm - a treat for a bear!) I wasn't really afraid, but I do have respect for them! Hiking in the WNC mountains ..... I'm more concerned with rattlesnakes and copperheads than bears - if you make plenty of noise the bear will go the other way - he doesn't want to see you up close and personal any more than you want to see him!
BCrawford saw your comment that you grew up on an apple farm on Ox Creek. Dogwood Hills Farm or the old apple farm on the big switchback think it may have been Ballards place or maybe Jones? We see bears alot up in this area one even walking down Ox Creek about gave my neighbor heart failure! I agree the rattlesnacks and copperheads are of more concern. Had a rattlesnack curled up at my front door a few years back. Boy can I jump backwards fast!
BCrawford check on the other site where you posted your Taft/Ox Creek question. I wrote some more about Ox Creek as I didn't want to bore all these other folks being so specific and off topic.
Loved the bear in a hammock! Here's one similar our neighbors have a pond and during the year of the bad drought he heard his dogs barking and went outside to see. A large, very large, bear was in his pond splashing around enjoying his personal spa time ignoring the dogs totally. The neighbor yelled and Mr. bear just looked at him not moving. He went in the house got his gun and fired in the air to scare the bear off after a few shots it lumbered out of the pond and off into the woods. They can be a bit brazen and guess we are used to them but do have a healthy respect for their power and keep our distance we don't want any Yogi Bears hanging out.
We have them around our house. They come down the mountain in our back yard.
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