Black Bear Sightings Increase in Sumner County, Tennessee

In recent weeks, Sumner County, Tennessee, has experienced a notable uptick in black bear sightings, particularly in areas like Cottontown and Gallatin. This marks a significant change, as such occurrences were rare in the region until now.

 

On June 24, 2025, a trail camera in Cottontown captured images of a black bear near a family's home along Bugg Hollow Road, which traverses both Cottontown and Gallatin.

 

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) confirmed the sighting and has notified the Sumner County Sheriff's Office as a precautionary measure. 

 

This recent sighting follows a series of bear encounters in the area. In late May, residents reported a black bear in the Bethpage-Gallatin vicinity, marking the first such sighting in nearly a decade. Tragically, on June 1, a juvenile black bear was struck and killed by a vehicle on Vietnam Veterans Parkway in Gallatin. 

 

TWRA Public Relations Director Emily Buck views the return of black bears to Middle Tennessee as a conservation success. She explained that as the bear population grows in East Tennessee, it's natural for them to expand their range westward.

 

Buck emphasized that young bears often embark on exploratory journeys to establish their own territories, which can lead them into suburban areas. 

 

To ensure both human and bear safety, residents are advised to take the following precautions:

• Secure trash bins to prevent bears from accessing food.
• Keep pet food indoors and remove bird feeders that might attract bears.
• Avoid approaching or feeding bears under any circumstances.

 

The TWRA also recommends keeping small pets indoors if a bear is known to be nearby. If a bear is spotted, it's crucial to give it space and report the sighting to local wildlife authorities. 

 

As black bears continue to reclaim parts of their historical range in Tennessee, community awareness and proactive measures are essential to foster peaceful coexistence.