Why more black bears are showing up in Middle Tennessee backyards

HICKMAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) – Black bear sightings have become more common over the past few years in Middle Tennessee; many have caught bears in their yards on camera.

Black bears have been spotted roaming all across Middle Tennessee so far this summer. Some residents said they are noticing them more now than ever before.

“In Middle Tennessee, we’ve had sightings in Hickman, Dickson, Wilson, Sumner and Smith Count[ies] so far this summer,” Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Species Biologist Tabitha Lavacot said. “And some of those bears are going to continue to roam outside of those counties. So those same bears may pop up somewhere else.”

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Lavacot said at this time of the year, young male black bears are pushed out of their den, and they are on the hunt for food and mates. Their home range can expand over 300 square miles, which explains why some have spotted bears across the area…

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