Black Bear Bait Station Surveys

2005 Bait Station Surveys

Black Bear Bait Station Survey was conducted during the month of July 2005 in 12 East Tennessee counties by 31 TWRA personnel.  A total of 27 areas were surveyed that consisted of 408 bait sites.  Bears visited 235 bait sites that accounted for a visitation rate of 57.6%.  This was a decline of approximately 5% from the previous year.  Of the 27 areas surveyed, 59% (n=16) showed declines in visitation rates.  Furthermore, all counties reported declines in visitation rates except for Blount.

2006 Bait Station Surveys

Black Bear Bait Station Survey was conducted during the month of July in 12 East Tennessee counties by 28 TWRA personnel.  A total of 28 areas were surveyed that consisted of 424 bait sites.  Bears visited 267 bait sites that accounted for a visitation rate of 63%.  This was an increase of approximately 5% from the previous year.  Of the 28 areas surveyed, 64% (n=18) showed an increase in visitation rate.  Furthermore, all counties except Carter, Polk, and Washington reported increases in visitation rates.