First BLACK BEAR Experience!!! Great Smoky Mountains

Only took 6 hours or so in Gatlinburg, Tennessee to have my first black bear experience! Having beers around the fire pit, our neighbors saw him and alerted us. What a way to start our 15th Anniversary Trip!
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Пікірлер: 107

  • @a.phillips6892
    @a.phillips689211 ай бұрын

    That’s a BEAUTIFUL bear! So healthy looking, and shiny black coat!

  • @eastwood2414
    @eastwood2414 Жыл бұрын

    He’s telling the bear to go away and the bear is looking at him like....”Dude!...you are in my house...my yard...my woods....dafuq!” He’s huge! 😮

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    He was not taking requests.

  • @kateclark7250
    @kateclark72502 жыл бұрын

    What a beautiful animal! It looks healthy, nice and plump with glossy fur. Very tame too. Thank you for filming this.

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    2 жыл бұрын

    I still can't believe the ease in which he climbed that steep bank at the end... We did a 5 mile, 1200' hike the next day and in the steep spots we kept commenting how none of us can hike like bears!!! 🐻🥾

  • @mchapman132

    @mchapman132

    Жыл бұрын

    NOT TAME. They are wild animals, not cute and cuddly. They are beautiful, and can climb vertically with ease and speed. Leave them alone.

  • @lanceflx63

    @lanceflx63

    11 ай бұрын

    Probably been fed by human neighbors….because he’s too chilled.

  • @Sassyglbeauty
    @Sassyglbeauty Жыл бұрын

    That was amazing! I love bears. But, I also appreciate how I wouldn’t want to run into one in the wild! Lol.

  • @truracer20
    @truracer2011 ай бұрын

    Don't be lulled into believing bears are slow. That massive animal can move faster than you imagine.

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    11 ай бұрын

    The way it bounded up the hill towards the end showed me all I needed to know! I hike often, and there's NO way I could have done that grade like he did.

  • @falcon3719
    @falcon3719 Жыл бұрын

    They are very quick and not everyone can fit inside the door at once 😮.

  • @LisaNix2
    @LisaNix2 Жыл бұрын

    What a gorgeous bear 🐻 - glad you saw one of our bears here in Tennessee

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    He was a phenomenal welcoming committee! Cool dude. 🐻👍

  • @nobleman_81
    @nobleman_81 Жыл бұрын

    I just got back from a cabin in Pigeon Forge today and it was the first bear encounter I've had. We got there Saturday evening and seen mama bear and 3 cubs every day...

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    That is fantastic! I'm glad my first time was on this balcony and not coming around a blind corner. Magnificent beasts! Thank you for watching.

  • @nobleman_81

    @nobleman_81

    Жыл бұрын

    @@HikerDudeDad Lol they are amazing! Mama bear was coming down the mountain on the side of the cabin. We kept hearing something, we looked around the corner and the cubs started coming out of the woods. Coolest thing I've ever seen but absolutely. Thanks for posting. Nice video 👍

  • @alanmiller1911
    @alanmiller19118 ай бұрын

    I remember hiking the trail up to Clingmans Dome and a Momma Black Bear and her cubs were foraging right next to the trail. I walked right by them with no problem.

  • @DebUno
    @DebUno Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for sharing your video. It’s sad to see what the Fires did to the area, as well. That’s a huge 🐻 Bear.

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    The entire hill that we were on, off Cliff Branch Rd., has been rebuilding for years. There were fires in the area when we visited, too. I was not envious of the construction workers building these houses that are clinging to the side of the mountain! Thanks for watching.

  • @Bredaxe
    @Bredaxe Жыл бұрын

    Went to the Smokys two weeks ago, saw a few momma bears with older cubs. We get black bears in my Florida neighborhood all the time. Also bobcats, and even a start Florida panther was spotted a year ago or so. All the development in the South is driving wild animals into the open for food.

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    That is a good point about development. There have been a few bears walking downtown Gatlinburg recently, too... Thanks for watching!

  • @beverlyhill6783

    @beverlyhill6783

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes it’s sad - we don’t need another place to live in or rent out - keep your forest

  • @paulwilliams2024
    @paulwilliams2024 Жыл бұрын

    Cool bear looks healthy. That’s a big boy gotta be at least 500 lbs and wow Gatlinburg look absolutely gorgeous

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    Big, big dude! Gatlinburg is really awesome. I'd go back in a second. Thanks for watching!

  • @anahart8253
    @anahart82537 ай бұрын

    Such a beautiful animal!❤️ I wanna just kiss and cuddle him like a big teddy bear!!😂🥰❤️. So beautiful and healthy looking! Nice shiny coat!

  • @coleswanger
    @coleswanger2 жыл бұрын

    Congrats on the bear sighting and anniversary sir. Better had on the deck than on the trail judging by the size of that bruiser. Can’t wait to see what’s next from the trip.

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    2 жыл бұрын

    I'll tell you... I was incredibly calm. No heart racing or anything. Because I was in a people house? I doubt that I would have been that calm on the trail.

  • @kentuckyleigh9623
    @kentuckyleigh9623 Жыл бұрын

    That is a BIGGGGG HEALTHY SCARY but BEAUTIFUL black bear! 🐻😱 Thx!! After watching so many KZread videos I’ve learned they are A+ agile climbers/movers! 😳 I never really believed it fully I don’t think 🤔

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    Crazy how it easily walked up that steep bank. Thanks for watching!

  • @kentuckyleigh9623

    @kentuckyleigh9623

    Жыл бұрын

    @@HikerDudeDad yep! Thx for posting!! I used to spend quite some years there as a child with my parents! I plan to get back there one day before my daughter is grown so she can experience all the joy (and excitement 😜) of the smokies! Ahhhhhh one day! 🥾🎒🐻🦊🐰🦉🐺🐢🦌🦝🦨🦦🐿🦔🪵🌳🌳🌳🪴🪴🪴

  • @k9khodi363
    @k9khodi3633 ай бұрын

    1:37 Bear waiting nicely for a snack. Me: looks around for snacks to dispense. Not finding any, wonders if he'd like to go for a car ride to get pizza and ice cream at Costco. Bravo to this man (and his companions) for handling this appropriately and modeling it for the rest of us. 👍

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    3 ай бұрын

    Almost enough room in the Pilot for him, but not quite! 😂🤣 Thank you for your comments... So very much appreciated!

  • @jamesdeam9959
    @jamesdeam9959 Жыл бұрын

    Wow the.bear can climb the pine tree in 5 seconds and be all over you before you can retreat !!

  • @georginaott6473
    @georginaott6473Ай бұрын

    I think he's the biggest one they talk about. He's huge.

  • @susan5494
    @susan54942 жыл бұрын

    So great! Thanks for sharing. ❤

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for watching!

  • @georginaott6473
    @georginaott6473Ай бұрын

    Great video

  • @Willowy13
    @Willowy13 Жыл бұрын

    Amazing. Merry Christmas

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    Same to you! 🎅🎄☃️ Thank you for watching.

  • @RDC_Autosports
    @RDC_Autosports Жыл бұрын

    he chonkey! he like come play with me lol

  • @user-km3do7ck8w
    @user-km3do7ck8w Жыл бұрын

    Really nice 👍🐻🐾 Happy anniversary !

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much!

  • @user-km3do7ck8w

    @user-km3do7ck8w

    Жыл бұрын

    @@HikerDudeDad You are really lucky to have seen them near about. 🤝🐻

  • @tammywalker9715
    @tammywalker9715 Жыл бұрын

    So Beautiful!!! Had the opportunity to see 5 of them this past September in Gatlinburg.

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    Wow! We saw one more during this week.

  • @tammywalker9715

    @tammywalker9715

    Жыл бұрын

    @@HikerDudeDad What was so funny when I was looking for them they didn't come around, but when we were not expecting them that's when we saw them. They are beautiful Animals I enjoyed seeing them in there Natural Habitat I also respect them.

  • @beverlyhill6783
    @beverlyhill6783 Жыл бұрын

    Going inside is smart - bear could climb up if it wanted to

  • @BillVol
    @BillVol Жыл бұрын

    Condos look super nice!

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    It was an Airbnb and it was the nicest place I've ever stayed at. It's what brought us to Gatlinburg in the first place, actually!

  • @lindagibson744
    @lindagibson744 Жыл бұрын

    He just glides along!!!

  • @tan.2209
    @tan.2209 Жыл бұрын

    Beautiful

  • @travelingRonman
    @travelingRonman2 жыл бұрын

    Wow what an awesome encounter! My first and only time seeing a bear in the wild was also at GSMNP. I was horseback riding and it a young cub foraging under a log for some good eats. Its the coolest thing I've seen so far. Unfortunately couldn't get a picture as by the time I got my camera out I was at an angle where I couldn't take it safely.

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    2 жыл бұрын

    Awesome! Yeah, seeing a bear was definitely on my list for sometime this week, we were just stunned it was so soon and not on a hike. Unfortunately, he was way too comfortable around humans and looked to be scavenging, not foraging. Thanks for watching, Ronman!

  • @tammyferreira5269
    @tammyferreira5269 Жыл бұрын

    amazing, cute

  • @lindagibson744
    @lindagibson744 Жыл бұрын

    He saunters on up the drive way!!!!

  • @georginaott6473
    @georginaott6473Ай бұрын

    Bears territory. May have long been there before it became a Park.

  • @annajo1963
    @annajo1963 Жыл бұрын

    People have been feeding him that is what he is looking for.

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    No doubt!

  • @johndeere8594
    @johndeere8594 Жыл бұрын

    That bear is waiting for someone to throw food down. A fed bear is a dead bear.

  • @netp5302
    @netp5302 Жыл бұрын

    What part of Gatlinburg were you in ?

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    Off Cliff Branch Rd. near Daisy Lane, just to the west. Thanks for watching!

  • @highhavencabin
    @highhavencabin Жыл бұрын

    I'd bet you were in Chalet Village. It's not uncommon for multiple bears per day to move through our property daily there. It's bear watching heaven on Earth. They are gentle giants that are misunderstood by most. Did you know that the old adage of "never get between a mama bear and a cub" does not hold true to the black bear. Black bear mama's will not defend their cubs. In contrast 70% of attacks on humans from brown bears are from Mama's with cubs. Our black bears need to be respected, not feared. The North American Bear Association has the best information about them in my opinion. Oh, one last thing. I'm surprised he didn't check your neighbors car doors to see if they were unlocked. They WILL open them. LOCK YOUR CAR DOORS and keep food out of your vehicles please! I'm so happy you saw one of our giants! Fantastic video. Just subscribed

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the great information!

  • @jefferywilde9581
    @jefferywilde9581 Жыл бұрын

    Are they really this common to see in Gatlinburg? If so im taking a trip next spring

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    As of late, they really are. Lots of news stories about it. Sometimes even strolling down the main street of Gatlinburg! Thanks for watching!

  • @jimpoitevint2581
    @jimpoitevint2581 Жыл бұрын

    Cool, but that bear is far from being tame. Big bear like that could be very dangerous.

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    Seemed "chill", but no one mistook it for tame, no sir! Thanks for watching!

  • @MEMUNDOLOL
    @MEMUNDOLOL8 күн бұрын

    for sure tourists feed him and that's why he is patrolling the houses on weekend and sits like this, he is like a dog begging for food

  • @corinneyaworski5274
    @corinneyaworski5274 Жыл бұрын

    So the bear is joining the party.

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    I'd like to think he considered it for a second, but didn't want to pay the cover 😂🤣 Thanks for watching!

  • @kennymurphy1099
    @kennymurphy109911 ай бұрын

    Maybe over 300 lbs and it's studying on how to eat, it's thought is should I investigate? Is it OK to attack?

  • @sgtmajtrapp3391
    @sgtmajtrapp3391 Жыл бұрын

    Big boy, large head small ears. Unfortunately no fear of people...that's bad. I bet people have fed him and that can mean trouble for both the bear and people.

  • @beverlyhill6783
    @beverlyhill6783 Жыл бұрын

    Clapping helps them move away - glad no one tried to go close - Be careful - it’s never fine - people should never approach them -

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    Yeah, nooooooope not a chance we would get closer. We made a lot of noise. Unfortunately he was too comfortable around humans.

  • @TheGatlinburgHussey
    @TheGatlinburgHussey Жыл бұрын

    Hello from Gatlinburg Tennessee Great Smoky mountains national park..I see them daily here .. nice job! I do Vlogs Daily here if you'd like to check out...Have you been to Gatlinburg?

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    Hello from Lancaster, PA! I will check out your page, as I quickly fell in love with Gatlinburg, the Smokies, and moonshine 👍 This was the AirBnB we stayed in up off Cliff Branch Rd., and he was our welcoming committee!

  • @TheGatlinburgHussey

    @TheGatlinburgHussey

    Жыл бұрын

    @@HikerDudeDad ahhh nice! I've been here since 97 but org from Portsmouth RI... I'll sub to your page as well boss! Thank you!! Be safe

  • @craigb8228
    @craigb8228 Жыл бұрын

    You have seen a tame grizzly bear but not a black bear.

  • @Petloverandcrocheter
    @Petloverandcrocheter11 ай бұрын

    Get fire crackers in the case it might be stubborn and keep coming.

  • @Crazypostalworker67
    @Crazypostalworker676 ай бұрын

    Man you got to learn to be more aggressive when a bear is around

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    6 ай бұрын

    I'm intrigued... What could I have done better?

  • @debbieturnbull23
    @debbieturnbull23 Жыл бұрын

    Bears are not people there animals , he ain’t your friend

  • @truhaboutme
    @truhaboutme2 жыл бұрын

    He could climb that adjacent tree and be on the deck if he wanted to. I'd be willing to bet some money on this.

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    2 жыл бұрын

    Then he'd have earned a beer!

  • @AFloodofSolaceJohnWhigham

    @AFloodofSolaceJohnWhigham

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes he could, easily.

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    @@AFloodofSolaceJohnWhigham this was HIS neighborhood... I'd bet that he already has climbed it and fired up a s'more over the fire pit 🔥👍

  • @AFloodofSolaceJohnWhigham

    @AFloodofSolaceJohnWhigham

    Жыл бұрын

    @@HikerDudeDad yes, no kidding.

  • @XxSEETH3RxX
    @XxSEETH3RxX Жыл бұрын

    He just wanted to be invited to the party

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    We are a good time! 🍻🥳

  • @beverlyhill6783
    @beverlyhill6783 Жыл бұрын

    People are leaving trash out in trash cans and that will attract bears and other animals don’t take trash out to leave in can take it off - Bears are not slow animals - they if they want to will be on you before you know it

  • @D-A-1776
    @D-A-1776 Жыл бұрын

    Always carry a gun especially while hiking in bear country. Yelling doesn't always work it almost got my buddy killed luckily he had a gun and it was a black bear. I've had one charge me while fishing luckily I had a gun and scared it with a warning shot. My buddy had to kill the one that charged at him

  • @josephshields2922
    @josephshields2922 Жыл бұрын

    The people who stayed there before threw food down to him. that's why he's there. Just ignore him and don't feed him. No need to make a federal case.

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    None of us gave it food.

  • @Claudia-bo5vf
    @Claudia-bo5vf Жыл бұрын

    Those buildings are too close to the their habitat

  • @chericlark3539
    @chericlark3539 Жыл бұрын

    Give him an apple or treat somtg to eat his hunggry.

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    Ummmmm no.... I'd be criticized even more than I have been already! Never feed wild animals.

  • @georginaott6473
    @georginaott6473Ай бұрын

    Not allowed to feed

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Ай бұрын

    No one did.

  • @davidburkholder7360
    @davidburkholder7360 Жыл бұрын

    About 325 to 350 lbs. Human food for sure and quite a large black bear for Gatlinburg. VERY DANGEROUS and TOO humanized. Needs put down but I noticed he was tagged on ear so TWRA is monitoring this bear. It could climb that post and jump onto that patio within 4 seconds if it wanted to.

  • @HikerDudeDad

    @HikerDudeDad

    Жыл бұрын

    Yeah, we had one foot in the door! You could sense that he could do just about anything he wanted to right there. Thanks for watching!

  • @markwagoner3599
    @markwagoner3599 Жыл бұрын

    Stop with the "oh my gosh". A black bear is dangerous, if you fool around with them you will find out quick. These people are stupid.

  • @donaldanderson3366

    @donaldanderson3366

    9 ай бұрын

    Very stupid

  • @jcc2c22
    @jcc2c22 Жыл бұрын

    The narrator actually knows very little about bears. His guess of a 600 lb size for the bear is mainly wishful thinking. Adult males rarely exceed 550 lbs and those that do are few and far between, usually in the northwest.