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  1. 07-19-2009, 21:31 #1
    fredmugs
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    Default Saw 7 bears in TN Sat

    Did a 24 mile day Sat SOBO from Iron Mtn shelter to Dennis Cove. I saw 4 bears about 15 minutes south of the shelter and another 3 a few miles before I got to Watauga Lake. Some NOBO's saw bears as they came into the shelter on Friday.

    First 1550 miles on the trail I saw 6 bears total and then 7 in one day!
    Pain is a by-product of a good time.
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  2. 07-19-2009, 21:40 #2
    Tennessee Viking
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    Its lake weather for the bears
    ''Tennessee Viking'
    Mountains to Sea Trail Hiker & Maintainer
    Former TEHCC (AT) Maintainer
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  3. 07-20-2009, 12:45 #3
    naturewanderer
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    Thanks for the info FredMugs! I am hiking from Dennis Cove to Damascus next week and will keep an eye out for them.
    Any other feedback on those sections?
    Halftrax
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  4. 07-20-2009, 13:16 #4
    MOWGLI
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    It was the Teddy Bear Picnic this past weekend. Hadn't you heard?
    'All my lies are always wishes" ~Jeff Tweedy~
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  5. 07-20-2009, 14:06 #5
    Plodderman
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    Bear sightings are becoming more frequent but haven't heard of any problems other than sightings.
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  6. 07-20-2009, 14:09 #6
    MOWGLI
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    I have seen 2 bears my last 2 hikes in the Cherokee NF. Their population appears robust.
    'All my lies are always wishes" ~Jeff Tweedy~
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  7. 07-20-2009, 15:15 #7
    Engine
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    Based on sightings, the population must be very healthy. Back in the late 80's I could spend a week in the Smokies and never see a bear. The past 6-7 years however, we see a few every time we go up. They are definitely becoming less afraid of people in some areas and that may play a role in the more frequent sightings as well. In the past they may have run off at the first sign of a human, while some are almost curious about hikers now.
    “He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.” –Socrates
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  8. 07-22-2009, 11:12 #8
    Lilred
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    I'm the only hiker in the world that has hiked the entire length of the Shenandoah's and not seen a single bear. Not even bear butt.

    "It was on the first of May, in the year 1769, that I resigned my domestic happiness for a time, and left my family and peaceable habitation on the Yadkin River, in North Carolina, to wander through the wilderness of America." - Daniel Boone
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  9. 07-22-2009, 13:27 #9
    ShelterLeopard
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    Quote Originally Posted by fredmugs View Post
    Did a 24 mile day Sat SOBO from Iron Mtn shelter to Dennis Cove. I saw 4 bears about 15 minutes south of the shelter and another 3 a few miles before I got to Watauga Lake. Some NOBO's saw bears as they came into the shelter on Friday.

    First 1550 miles on the trail I saw 6 bears total and then 7 in one day!
    Maybe they were holding a meeting and it had just broken up when you walked through.
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  10. 07-22-2009, 13:34 #10
    TD55
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lilred View Post
    I'm the only hiker in the world that has hiked the entire length of the Shenandoah's and not seen a single bear. Not even bear butt.

    They are very busy nowadays making appearances on the parkway.
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  11. 07-22-2009, 13:40 #11
    Plodderman
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    It is kind of neat to see a few bears. Give us something to talk about and adds a little adventure to the hike.
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