Bears In The Park
- This topic has 9 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated Jun 10, 2006 at 9:28 pm by
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So I am packing up the kids and heading out of St. Louis and traveling to Townsend, TN this coming Friday afternoon for a little family vacation.
Matt,
As you are probably aware, black bear are not as predictable as the grizzlies in Yellowstone or Glacier NP. I’ve been backpacking in GSMNP for the past 20 years and have never consistantly seen black bears…..with one exception. I see them more in Cades Cove than any other area of the Park. Probably because of all the open areas….increases my chances. What few times I do see them, I’m usually rounding the bend of a trail and catch a quick glimpse as they run away.
Recent reports indicate a lot of bear activity on Hazel Creek but that is fairly inaccessible for a day trip.
Probably best advice I could give is stop at the Sugarlands Visitor Centor or Cades Cove Ranger Station and ask a ranger. Also get out and about at daybreak and dusk.
What kind of long lens will you be using?
Good luck and let us know how it goes,
Drifter
I just returned from Townsend on Saturday. We saw several bears in and around Cades Cove, all during the late afternoon/early evening. I was using a Canon 100-400 at or near 400mm. At 400mm that lens is only a 5.6. If you have something longer and faster, you will get better results.
Matt,
I’m shopping around for a long lens and would love to see a photo or two using the 400mm.
Just so you won’t be blindsided….the Park Service used to close the Cades Cove loop road on Sunday mornings to vehicles. This was done to accomadate hikers, joggers and bicyclists. I think it opens back up at 10am. There is an old mill at the back of the loop and some log cabins and a church that make wonderful photo opportunities.
Try to shoot a daybreak when there is some fog/haze in the air. You should see mucho whitetail deer on the loop road.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Drive safe….Drifter
from a fishing standpoint, i quickly found that I was not used to the type of wading or rock hopping needed to be in the ideal spot to get the proper presentation.
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