NEED TO KNOW

BLACK BEAR SIGHTINGS ARE COMMON IN SUMMER

JACKSON, Tenn. --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) receives an increase in calls regarding black bears in the summer. Black bears have a wide natural range and are known to travel great distances throughout the state. Last year, we saw black bears appear in several locations across the state as they searched for food, water, and shelter. As the black bear population rebounds from low numbers observed 75 years ago, their range is expected to expand beyond the East Tennessee area, where they are most abundant. This resurgence is a conservation success story, as black bears are returning to their historic ranges.

When we receive reports of a bear, our officers and biologists monitor the situation to assess whether a bear is behaving naturally or causing any nuisance issues. Unfortunately, when bears appear in areas where they are typically not found, such as West Tennessee, media coverage and public sharing of the bear's location can encourage people to seek it out. If people refrain from approaching the bear, it will likely move on naturally.

Humans often unintentionally attract and provide food for wild animals, including black bears, near their homes. Common attractants include bird feeders, trash cans, birdbaths, and pet food bowls with leftover food. These items can draw bears and other unwanted wildlife closer to residential areas. By following a few simple guidelines from BearWise, you can reduce negative interactions with these animals and help deter bears from approaching. Here are some BearWise tips:

- Never follow a black bear. Give wildlife plenty of space to leave the area. Attempting to follow an animal for photos can inadvertently put both wildlife and humans in danger.

- Never intentionally feed bears and be mindful of unintentional food sources around your home. Items like trash, bird feeders, unpicked garden vegetables, greasy grills, and outdoor pet food can attract bears.

- Secure food, garbage, recycling, and grills in locations that are inaccessible to bears and other wildlife.

- Inform your neighbors about any bear activity and make noise when leaving your home to alert wildlife to your presence.

It's important to remember that the presence of a bear does not automatically put humans in immediate danger. Bears often flee when they hear loud noises or see people waving their arms. By keeping a safe distance and avoiding any actions that could be perceived as threatening, residents can significantly reduce the risk of confrontation.

Visit bearwise.org to unlock insights and practical solutions from BearWise. This program helps homeowners, businesses, and communities live in harmony with bears, ensuring a peaceful coexistence.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.

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TWRA REQUESTS PUBLIC INPUT FOR 2026-27 FISHING REGULATIONS

NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is welcoming comments for its 2026-27 fishing regulations, providing an opportunity for the public to share ideas and concerns about fishing regulations with TWRA staff.

The comment period concerning fishing regulations is open from Friday, Aug 1 through Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. Any proposed fishing regulation changes will be previewed at a meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission in early 2026.

The public comment period is another opportunity for anglers to provide feedback on TWRA’s Fisheries management. Public comments will be considered with fishery independent assessments to select the best strategies and regulations to manage Tennessee’s resources while accommodating the widest variety of anglers.

TWRA Fisheries personnel use a variety of techniques to manage fish populations and gather data about fish population size structure, recruitment, growth, density, and mortality. In addition, Fisheries personnel work to improve habitat to benefit fish species along with propagating and stocking numerous species of fish to ensure anglers have the best fishing opportunities possible. TWRA also conducts angler surveys to gain a better understanding of fisheries including, effort, catch, preferences, demographics, and economics. All this information is taken into consideration during the regulation process.

There will be a public comment period on the proposed regulations after the TWRA presentation to the commission. Any approved regulations will go into effect Aug. 1, 2026. Please click the link below or scan the QR code to submit your comments.

https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/2026_fishing_reg_public_comment

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TWRA SEEKS FIELDS TO LEASE FOR 2025 DOVE SEASON

NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is seeking fields to lease for the upcoming 2025 dove season. Landowners can earn up to $4,000 for providing a dove field for public hunting. These fields must be available for a minimum of three priority hunt dates in September. The first segment of dove season opens at noon on Labor Day, Sept. 1.

The standard fall leased field is a harvested grain field to which TWRA leases the hunting rights for three priority dates. The hunting access rate paid to landowners for fall leased fields may be up to $75 per acre for a maximum of 40 acres. Fields that are top sown with wheat are eligible for an additional $25 per acre. Interested landowners must sign up their fields in August.

Anyone interested in leasing a dove field to TWRA should contact their TWRA regional office. TWRA has four regional offices across the state that interested landowners can contact: Region I (West Tennessee) 731-423-5725 or toll free 800-372-3928; Region II (Middle Tennessee) 615-781-6622 or toll free 800-624-7406; Region III (Upper Cumberland) 931-484-9571 or toll free 833-402-4698; Region IV (East Tennessee) 423-587-7037 or 800-332-0900. Offices are open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (local time).

Mourning doves are a popular game bird and one of the most widely distributed and abundant birds in North America. More mourning doves are harvested than all other migratory bird species combined in 39 of the continental states. In Tennessee, an estimated 24,000 hunters harvest approximately 320,000 mourning doves each year.

TWRA began its leased dove field program in the late 1980s, and the program has been very successful in providing quality hunting opportunities for hunters. In addition to leased fields, many public dove fields are provided on wildlife management areas in each TWRA region.

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TWRA AND ABR REACH NEW PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and the Appalachian Bear Rescue (ABR) have reached a new partnership agreement for black bear rehabilitation in Tennessee.

During the course of 2023 and 2024, the presence of pneumonia raised initial concerns about the health of bears being housed at ABR. After a difficult decision in December 2024 to euthanize 13 bears, the Agency temporarily paused the placement of bears at the facility.

In the months that followed, TWRA staff sought input from bear managers, wildlife veterinarians and disease pathologists in other states on best management practices and pen sanitation measures such as discing, burns, and leaving pens empty on an annual rotational schedule. ABR staff immediately started working to implement extensive modifications and upgrades to the facility to align with the recommendations of these professionals.

TWRA leadership also began working with ABR to draft an official operating agreement to strengthen the relationship between the two entities, set clear expectations for best management practices for bear rehabilitation, and provide transparency to members of the public invested in wildlife conservation.

The final agreement was approved by the ABR Board of Directors on July 7 and publicly signed by both parties on July 21. With the agreement in place, TWRA will resume placing bears at ABR as allowed in the scope of the agreement.

“The process of developing this working agreement has created a stronger partnership between TWRA and Appalachian Bear Rescue,” said TWRA Executive Director Jason Maxedon. “We applaud the ABR Board of Directors and staff for their diligent commitment to providing the highest quality care possible for bears in need of rehabilitation. Together, we can continue to ensure the future of wildlife conservation is effective and based on best management practices.”

“I’m proud to say that, like many of the cubs we’ve cared for, we are persistent and resilient,” said ABR Interim Executive Director Greg Grieco. “We have faced this ordeal head-on, and there are still some challenges ahead. However, with this new cooperative agreement, facility upgrades, and the unwavering commitment of our dedicated supporters we can ensure that there will continue to be an option to rehabilitate orphaned and injured bear cubs in Tennessee for the foreseeable future.”

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is the state agency tasked with preserving, conserving, managing, protecting, and enhancing the fish and wildlife of the state and their habitats for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the citizens of Tennessee and its visitors. TWRA is also the permitting agency that regulates animal rehabilitation facilities.

Appalachian Bear Rescue is a wildlife rehabilitation facility that has cared for more than 400 black bear cubs and yearlings from nine states and multiple National Park sites over the course of its 29-year history. Countless other wild bears have benefited from educational outreach and research initiatives.

In East Tennessee, black bears are abundant and actively expanding across their historic native range in Tennessee. Bears have large home ranges which can overlap into multiple states and cross paths with numerous other bears. TWRA biologists manage at the population level to ensure conservation goals are met.

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