SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. — Spotting a black bear in the Smoky Mountains is nothing unusual. And even though many people believe this time of year marks the start of hibernation, state bear biologist Janelle Musser said that isn’t always the case.

“Hibernation is based on food availability,” Musser said. “A lot of people think it's weather, but bears in Louisiana and Florida hibernate too. So it's based on food. And so if you can still get food, there's really not a reason to hibernate unless you're a female that's going to have cubs.”

One of those food sources can be trash cans. But in the city of Gatlinburg, officials said all city bins are now bear-proof.

Seth Butler, a spokesperson for Gatlinburg, said the community partnered with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to launch a bear-

See Full Page