Almost got eaten by a Black Bear (move, park)

[Bigfoot424]

I doubt food in the vehicles is an issue at all. It's the outside dumpster and trash cans. The dumpster now has a security bar but of course someone has to secure it every time it's used. As far as the skunk goes. Those little stinkers get a wide berth.

[Carlingtonian]

Ah--forgot about the dumpster/trash cans.

[adanVdo]

Several years ago, my Native American friend was driving the backroads home to Sevierville from a Gatlinburg T-shirt shop. Friend noticed an unusual amount of cars parked along the side of the road. Then she saw the bear family, Mama and two young cubs. Tourists were approaching the black bears, talking to them as though they were cartoon characters.

Friend started trying to disperse the tourists by yelling at them, telling them to leave the bears alone. They paid Friend no mind - so she grabbed a ball bat and began smashing headlights. When the Rangers arrived, they agreed with her actions, and thanked her. Bear Mama & cubs were saved from being exterminated.

[VRE332]

Originally Posted by adanVdo

Several years ago, my Native American friend was driving the backroads home to Sevierville from a Gatlinburg T-shirt shop. Friend noticed an unusual amount of cars parked along the side of the road. Then she saw the bear family, Mama and two young cubs. Tourists were approaching the black bears, talking to them as though they were cartoon characters.

Friend started trying to disperse the tourists by yelling at them, telling them to leave the bears alone. They paid Friend no mind - so she grabbed a ball bat and began smashing headlights. When the Rangers arrived, they agreed with her actions, and thanked her. Bear Mama & cubs were saved from being exterminated.

That's not cool smashing headlights.

[Flamingo13]

Originally Posted by VRE332

That's not cool smashing headlights.

And I doubt seriously that it happened!

[adanVdo]

Native Americans know that stupid people who approach wild animals are the beginning of tragedy. The humans should have the intelligence to leave a mother bear with her cubs alone. But if a stupid person gets hurt in the encounter, the bear is euthanized. Is that "cool"?

OP - look at this page for the steps to take on sighting a black bear:

https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/black-bears.htm


Warning: Bears are wild animals that are dangerous and unpredictable. Do not approach bears or allow them to approach you!

Willfully approaching within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces a bear, is illegal in the park. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest.

[LuvVA]

You are lucky, I guess that bear was on diet....

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by adanVdo

Willfully approaching within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces a bear, is illegal in the park. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest.

Wait--the person who just bragged about their friend smashing cars' headlights is admonishing others not to break the law? Seriously?

News flash: The bears have acclimated to humans in some areas and lost their fear.

[adanVdo]

ohh heck.

I mistakenly fell into this thread, and thought I was still in a Knoxville, TN one. The Great Smoky National Park is the area where I thought the OP was posting about. My apologies. I'm outta here, now.

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by adanVdo

Several years ago, my Native American friend was driving the backroads home to Sevierville from a Gatlinburg T-shirt shop. Friend noticed an unusual amount of cars parked along the side of the road. Then she saw the bear family, Mama and two young cubs. Tourists were approaching the black bears, talking to them as though they were cartoon characters.

Friend started trying to disperse the tourists by yelling at them, telling them to leave the bears alone. They paid Friend no mind - so she grabbed a ball bat and began smashing headlights. When the Rangers arrived, they agreed with her actions, and thanked her. Bear Mama & cubs were saved from being exterminated.

Oh bull crap.