04/16/2026
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BDvUwwnuD/
Starting July 1, a new Tennessee law is going into effect aimed at protecting our black bears and keeping people safer.
If you feed bears in areas where warnings are posted, it will now be considered a Class B misdemeanor statewide, with a minimum $250 fine.
This law is meant to cut down on dangerous human and wildlife interactions. It doesn’t just apply to intentionally feeding bears—it also includes not properly securing food and trash. In the past, these rules were mainly enforced in places like Gatlinburg and the National Park, but now TWRA can enforce them across the entire state.
Honestly, this is something locals have been preaching for a long time—feeding bears only makes things worse in the long run.
What do you think about this new law? 🐻
