Use of Foot Trail Travellers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Estimate Black Bear (Ursus americanus) Activity
Pelton MR. 1972. Use of Foot Trail Travellers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Estimate Black Bear (Ursus americanus) Activity. Bears: Their Biology and Management. 2:36-42
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a relatively inaccessible area. Only one highway dissects the center of the park, and most areas can be reached only by foot trail. Over 700 miles of trails are maintained in the park; of these, 310 miles are located on the Tennessee side. Beginning in April 1970, 10 routes (19 different trails covering 180 miles) on the Tennessee side were designated as 'Index Trails' and used to determine black bear activity. From April through October 1970,these routes were hiked for a total of 2, 363 miles. The exact location of each bear seat and bear sighting was recorded. Bear survey forms were distributed to backpackers using the trails for extended periods. Over 400 seat-locations and 150 live-bear observations were re? corded. Information gathered indicated the distribution,areas of high-bear use, and seasonal onset, peak, and cessation of activity of the black bear in the park. Potential use of the data for estimates of black bear density, food habits and movements, and solutions to some bear-person interactions are discussed.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Pelton, Michael
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Great Smoky Mountains National Park NC TN, Mammals (Mammalia)