It’s no surprise to us, with the abundance of acorns throughout the region, but according to a recent article in the Knoxville News-Sentinel, bears are being seen later than usual this year.  Mother bears and pregnant sows have usually denned by this time of year.  Others den later, and some adult males don’t actually den at all.  They make daybeds that look like large ground nests in which to sleep for a period of time; then they move on to another location.

In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park bear activity is continuing, despite the abundance of natural food (acorns) and this is surprising to wildlife officers.  Some of the backcountry campsites are still closed, due to persistent bear activity.