Ok, this is dumb, but my wife and I have travelled all over the country but we've never seen a bear. I'm told there are lotsa bears in the Smokies.

Has any MOTD participant ever seen a bear (trick question -- note I said BEAR not, oh, well, you know.).

Seriously, do we have any chance of seeing a black bear around there?????

 

Dude, there was at least one occasion when I recall a MINI hitting a black bear. You probably don't want to see one that close up, though.

So yes, it is possible that you'll spot a bear or two while there.

 

I went to the Wal Mart in Marysville the night before MOTD started last year via the dragon. A bear ran out in front of me. Not to mention a deer reared up on it's hind legs like it was going to attack my car. You just have to becareful because there are all kinds of animals roaming the dragon to include me.

 

Killboy has photos of bears walking up the mountain sides around him when he camps out in a corner to take photos of passing cars, and yes MINIs have hit bears during MOTD weekend

As Fatherdeth said, there's lots of wildlife, so you need to be careful because you can't see whats around most corners so there is little warning for all sorts of wildlife and traffic (stopped cars for wildlife or if someone should go off or is slowing to a pull off, or just pulling out) no semis for a while, but the Dragon is a fun and unforgiving do you need to be careful when you enjoy it.

 

There is a preserve in Maggie Valley where there are Elk and Bear. I went in the summer and saw both. Here is the LINK.

 

Snooter:

Is that an easy run from Fontana?

 

Last year Barbie and I saw a coyote cross the Dragon on our way back to Fontana Village campground after Midnight on the Dragon. We like to go to Cataloochee Valley and watch the elk. We saw bears, turkey and deer at Cades Cove last year.

 

Woody30028 hosted a drive there last year and again this year. He might be able to help you with directions. Looks like about a 2 hour drive. (I was staying in Maggie Valley when I went in the summer). I'd pm or emial Woody30028, he's the one that turned me onto it.

 

We are from Chicago (kinda) so we are Bears fans!

 

Go Cubbies!!!!!!!!!!

(Cubbies are going to win the World Series this year -- ya gotta believe. Ask Harry)

 

That was on the way to MOTD 2006. He lives near me and is now "Bearslayer". He recently replaced the Union Jack on his roof with a UJ with a bear coming through it.

 

I think you need to worry more about the wild boars in the area. They can be really really nasty!

 

This is all I could think of when I saw this thread....



Look Ron! I'm riding a big furry tractor!

 

Gee.

 

From 8AM to 8PM there will be at least two smokey bears on the dragon.

 

Never been to MotD but I've been in the area multiple times. And yes, there is pleeenntyyy of wildlife. I've only seen I think two bears -- one was dead though...

 

I was at the 2006 MOtD when bearslayer struck...there was still bear hair in the fender of the car...not sure who actually won that fight.

 

Another great place to see wildlife is the Cades Cove area in the Smokies - it's closed now for road maintenance, but is supposed to re-open this weekend. You're not guaranteed to see anything- but if you spend a few hours there you will often have a chance to see a bear or two, wild turkeys, lots of other stuff.