Day Hikes in Great Smokey Mtn. Nat'l Park

[Cee Zee]

You have better odds of being hit by a meteor as you cash your winning Powerball ticket

Is that so? You do realize what I mentioned was a bear that killed a person, right? That doesn't mean it was the only attack since then. Far from it. BTW I've seen bears in the GSMNP area so those that think they aren't on those trails ever are in for a surprise at some point. People were feeding the bears where I saw them too. Bad idea.

You do realize that most bear attacks don't show up in stats right? You have the tree huggers in the federal departments (especially the DNR) that keep track of attacks and they try to cover up the number of attacks in their reports because they want people to accept bears in their area without complaining. Then there's the people who live in rural areas that know what a hassle it is to be investigated for shooting a bear. Does the term, "Shoot, shovel and shut up," have any meaning to you? Where do you think that came from?

It only makes sense that more bears mean more attacks. And the statistics back that up. Only the stats don't show an equal increase in attacks to bears ratio. If there's 5 times more bears and only double the listed attacks then something is fishy isn't it?

I live in these areas. I have been stalked by bears and threatened by bears. You'll have a hard time convincing me that a person shouldn't be concerned with them. I know a lot of bears get moved from one area to another too. The reason for that is that those bears start causing problems with humans.

You may want to visit this web page for some up to date information on the subject. Or maybe this story from earlier this year. Yeah there's no increase in bear attacks. If you do a search you'll find a lot of stories like these about bear attacks being on the rise. And like I said people don't have to die for there to have been a bear attack. And I've seen bears do exactly what the outdoor shop owner talks about - they stood their ground and didn't run - they aren't scared of people like they once were. There's a lot more information I could give you on this subject but my post is already too long. Just know that I've been threatened at least 3 times and maybe more. I've seen some bear actions that I didn't know if they were threats or not. I live in a wild area and I spend a lot of time in wild areas. I know what's going on in my back yard friend.

 

[Cee Zee]

After having been to Gatlinburg and the surrounding parts of the park this spring, I agree with this comment as it relates to wildlife. There is so many damn people that you would never see a bear or any other wild animal.

Many years ago I saw a bear on the mountain about half the way up to Ober Gatlingburg (it wasn't even there at the time if that tells you anything but it was right under the spot where it would eventually be). We were picking blackberries in this giant blackberry patch. We drove up a road to that place but I'm sure I couldn't even find it now. I haven't been to Gatlinburg in quite a while.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Yep, GSMNP is far too busy and gets far too much attention for drug operations. Cherokee and other national forests (and big pieces of private property abbuting them) do have problems, but they get far less traffic and far less oversight.

I agree that chances of running into any trouble are very small. My comment

If an animal or dope grower is attacking me, I don't give a darn what is legal and what isn't. I'm gonna shoot if I'm legally allowed to carry.

is a general rule for any place I'm allowed to carry, since I do live in a remote place, and do wander through places where such problems exist.

I just find the comments about legalities of shooting in a park to be funny. If it means a legal battle and surviving a bad situation, I'll shoot. Legal has nothing to do with the decision, IMO, to fire if you aren't looking for trouble, and your life has been put in danger. I value my life more than my money and I do realize I'd lose a lot if ever in the situation. Lawyer fees alone would be insane.

Now if you are making poor decisions and have created the situation, well obviously you are in for more of a problem afterwards.

Hope to God I never have to be in this situation.

 

[22-rimfire]

I just find the comments about legalities of shooting in a park to be funny. If it means a legal battle and surviving a bad situation, I'll shoot. Legal has nothing to do with the decision, IMO, to fire if you aren't looking for trouble, and your life has been put in danger. I value my life more than my money and I do realize I'd lose a lot if ever in the situation. Lawyer fees alone would be insane.

Now if you are making poor decisions and have created the situation, well obviously you are in for more of a problem afterwards.

Hope to God I never have to be in this situation.

I also agree with you NOW. But what about prior to it being legal to carry a concealed firearm inside National Parks? Same belief...? Common law application? (Just exploring the concept... not picking.)

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Fair enough. No, not the same belief. I WILL NOT and have not carried where prohibited willfully. I will however carry pepper spray or bear spray if legal.

The one place I've ever screwed up was at my local post office. I walked in armed and totally forgot I even had a gun on me since I carry when ever it is permitted. I realized as I was turning the key on my P.O. Box what I had done and I left as quickly and quietly as I could. Stupid mistake and I'm more careful now.

 

[22-rimfire]

I feel the same way. One can extrapolate common law rights to justify carrying a gun prior to the law change.

Here in TN, the rangers seldom enforced the gun restriction inside the national forests unless there were other concerns (at least that is what a ranger told me). Pretty much just keep the firearm out of sight and don't use it unless you have to. No plinking. However, I never tested the theory personally.

 

[dbp]

I live in (on ) Cosby, about 8 miles from the park.

Oh yeah! Carver's Applehouse Rest.!!

We rent a friend's cabin on Cosby Creek a couple times a year. Beautiful places in that area of the park.

 

[Magoo]

Beautiful area indeed. I didn't end up here accidentally .

Since it seems so many members visit the area, and to keep it firearms related (without debating bear calibers), I'll throw out a plug for one of my neighbors:

http://www.outdoorsinthesmokies.com/shooting-instruction-range/

Dan is one heck of a nice guy and I'm sure could accommodate lots of different types of training/coaching. Don't hesitate to contact him if you're at all interested. He's less than a mile from me so if anyone does go there be sure to give me a shout and stop by for a beer afterwards.

 

[SilentStalker]

Ok, I am planning a trip here and other places in late October to get some hiking and photography in. I will be carrying, no doubt about it. Now the question is do I carry concealed or carry in my pack or what? In my pack to me would be stupid because it will take too long to retrieve if need be. So, that is out I think. Any pointers you guys can offer there?

As far as a knife, what is the largest knife one can carry in a state park? I have all kinds of fixed blades but none that are folders or that are really all that small. Water will definitely be carried. Anything else?

Do you guys think that Bears will be out and about in late October still?

 

[22-rimfire]

There will still be bears out in late October, for sure. They will likely be hitting the acorns at that point.

I have been known to slip my carry gun inside a day pack, but generally speaking I agree with you. Access is too slow. In my case, it was simply to get it out of the way when I was doing other stuff.

I carry a fair amount in the fall and winter on trails when you wear a jacket in a regular belt holster. The jacket sufficiently hides the firearm. In TN, you are technically allowed to carry non-concealed (OC) with a valid permit. It is easier on the trail or stomping around in the woods to simply have it on my belt and with a shirt or whatever hanging down, few ever notice. I would not suggest OC wandering around downtown Nashville or Memphis.

As far as I know, the legal blade length is 3". But in the woods, no body cares and that includes in national parks unless you get in a fight or something. I carry whatever fixed blade I feel like inside GSMNP and the state parks. It is perfectly normal to be carrying a knife in the woods. One thing to remember inside national parks, it is technically illegal to be cutting branches and trees and so forth. You can't even legally pick up a rock and carry it out. Sounds stupid. But that's the case. Just be rational in your choices. I would not carry a machete for example on trails. No need for one.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I open carry in National Forests and Grasslands. I cc in parks unless I'm in grizz country and carrying something large. I have no desire to have liberals freak out because "There's a guy with a gun over there!"

JMO