Park Service denies reports that an aggressive black bear was shot near Cades Cove

Although 3 separate hikers claimed that they were told by a ranger that an aggressive black bear was shot and killed near Great Smoky Mountains national park backcountry campsite 10, officials from the national park service deny the hikers accounts.

According to the park service they are still looking for a bear that caused damage to the Mt. Collins shelter but as of yet have been unsuccessful in their quest to find the problem black bear.

Backcountry campsite 10 is on the Russell Field Trail has been closed for extended time due to aggressive bear behavior. The Russell Field Trails major trailhead Anthony Creek Trail starts less than 1-1/2 miles downhill in the back end of the Cades Cove Picnic Area near the Cades Cove Campgrounds.

Reports of another Aggressive Bear Shot in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Unconfirmed reports came in of a black bear that was shot and killed by a national park service ranger after it acted aggressively near backcountry campsite 10 on Russell Field Trail.

3 separate hikers along the Appalachian Trail made identical claims that a National Park Service Ranger told them that a black bear started acting aggressively toward the ranger who shot and killed the bear near the backcountry campsite which has been closed for a few weeks.

If correct, this occurrence of yet another aggressive black bear in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park took place less than 2 miles from where I was personally stalked by a medium sized black bear.

While the wild boars have been more brazen than ever before in the Great Smoky Mountains national park, it unfortunately seems as though the black bear might be as well.

Even with the latest incidents people planning on coming to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park must understand that is and extremely safe place to recreate and most serious injuries or deaths are a result of car accidents and drowning.

Tick bites and yellow jacket stings should be for more of a concern for backcountry hikers and campers than an attack by a wild animal. By following basic camping and hiking safety rules you will protect the environment, the wildlife that inhabits the park and everyone in your group.

Further information and confirmation to follow.