While visiting Gatlinburg this fall, chances are that you will see a black bear within the city limits of Gatlinburg. Numerous bear sightings have been reported during October. The Smoky Mountains had a great season last year for new bear cubs being born along.
Efforts to restore bear populations in Tennessee have resulted in more frequent bear sightings both inside and outside of the national park. Park Rangers are saying that in 2009, there have been more bear sightings since the park service started keeping records in 1981.
Should you encounter a bear on your trip, keep in mind that you should not approach the animal. Use extreme caution around the bear. If the bear changes it’s behavior (stops feeding, or starts paying attention to you) you are too close to the animal. Don’t run or do anything that could startle the bear. Slowly back away while watching the bear. Changes are you increase your distance from the bear, it will do the same.
For more bear encounter safety tips, click here to visit the National Park Service
Tags: Black Bears, Gatlinburg, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Trackback
•
Posted in Smoky Mountain News
Elk breeding season in the Smoky Mountains runs from September to October and right now is a great time to see them. Bulls typically mate with up to 20 cows during the season. Males spar with other bulls in order to show that they are the dominant one. Most encounters are just for show and involve very little physical contact.
If you listen closely while your in the part, you can hear the distinct bugling sound that males use to invite females for breeding.
If your lucky enough to see any elk breeding, remember that the animals are wild and you should use caution and not approach them, especially during the mating rituals.
Tags: Elk, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Trackback
•
Posted in Smoky Mountain News
Yesterday was Keep Sevier Beautiful Roads and Rivers Day here in Sevier County. SmokiesBlog.com and others volunteered to help pick up trash along the west prong of the Little Pigeon River that runs through the spur between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
SmokiesBlog.com cleaned up the 2.2 mile stretch of the river from the Bridge at the Gatlinburg Welcome Center to the tunnel. Volunteer registration began at 9 am, and many people showed up to help, including a local Girl Scout troup.
The weather even cooperated through the first part of the event. It was great morning for cleaning up the river and roadsides. Even the rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the volunteers, even though we all returned at the end soaking wet.
SmokiesBlog.com would like to encourage people to volunteer their time for this worthwhile effort. Contact the Keep Sevier Beautiful office at 865-774-6677 for additional information. We would also like to say thanks to Dana Soehn of the National Park Service for organizing the groups for the Spur/West Prong Little Pigeon River.
Tags: Keep Sevier Beautiful, Public Lands Day, Roads and Rivers Day, SmokiesBlog.com, Smoky Mountains National Park
Trackback
•
Posted in Smoky Mountain News
East Tennessee Public Television will premeiere “East Tennessee Stories: The Land, Its People and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at 6 PM on Sunday, September 27, 2009.
This program starts with the Cherokee’s story of creation and covers additional topics including logging, the Civil War and the creation of the smokies.
Immediately following this program is Ken Burn’s brilliant documentary “The National parks: Americas Best Idea”. Burn’s 12-hour series spans the continent to capture the gradeur that is our national parks.
Visitors to the National Park can get a sneak peak of the Ken Burns film on Saturday. A half-hour excerpt will be shown at the Sugarlands Visitors Center at 11 am and 2 pm.
For more information about the sneak peak, contact the national park at 865-436-1200.
Tags: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Ken Burns, Public Television
Trackback
•
Posted in Smoky Mountain News
The Old Mill Square’s Heritage Day 2009 was a great success. Visitors were treated to live demonstrations of traditional mountain crafts like quilting, basket making, pottery and apple butter making. There was a farmer’s market set up in front of the Old mill General Store. Members of the local Antique Tractor and Engine Association had a collection of refurbished machinery.
There was plenty of stuff for the kids as well. Kid’s activities included games, pumpkin painting and a cake walk.
Live music was provided by Lonesome Mountain, Van Eaton & Friends, and Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier from a stage in front of the cafe.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was on hand to provide information about the Smokies 75th Anniversary.
There was plenty of great traditional food like cornbread and pinto beans, hotdogs and barbeque. The Old Mill Farmhouse Kitchen was letting visitors try free sample of their cooking.
Overall it was a great way to spend some quality time in Pigeon Forge and escape the madness of the Grand Fall Rod Run.
Tags: Heritage Day, Old Mill Square
Trackback
•
Posted in Smoky Mountain News
1