"We're overwhelmed each year with complaints in the populated areas to the northeast of the Smoky Mountains," Brandenburg said. "People are relocating to this area and just don't have an understanding of how to discourage bears from coming onto their property in search of food.

"I believe the entire Southern Appalachian bear populations across North Georgia, western North Carolina, northern South Carolina, western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee and Virginia have all seen substantial if not record harvest numbers over the last few years," he said.

Last year, Tennessee hunters bagged a record 446 bears in all counties and seasons combined. In the past, dog hunters killed 90 to 95 percent of all bears harvested. That appears to be changing. Following an expanded archery-only season across portions of 11 counties, archers accounted for a whopping 79 bears. That number has increased from just 14 in 2006, before the expanded archery opportunities.

Still-Hunting Strategies
Despite the record harvests, Brandenburg maintains that the art of "still-hunting"--stalking or ambushing and hunting without the use of dogs -- has not yet reached its full potential as a bear-harvesting practice in Tennessee. Brandenburg has a few tips for still-hunters.

"Because the highest bear densities in Tennessee likely occur within our bear sanctuaries, a good strategy is to select hunting areas near, or on the fringes of, bear reserves. Highlighting these areas on a good, appropriate-scale map with a Sharpie pen is highly recommended," he said.

"The opportunities to harvest a bear are also better during the midseason compared to the late bear hunting season," Brandenburg said. "As the hunting season progresses, there are fewer bears available due to harvest. Secondly, pregnant females den significantly earlier than other bears, usually around late November to early December, depending on each bear's individual condition. If fall food resources have been good, then it is expected that pregnant females will be in the den by December and unavailable for harvest."

The biologist points out that one major misconception is that hunters are not allowed to still-hunt during dog permitted seasons. In fact, he suggests this may be an opportune time to take a bear by still-hunting.

"I highly recommend still-hunting for bears when dog hunting for bears is ongoing. The key to still-hunting for bears during seasons where dogs are allowed is to hunt areas where dog hunters are unlikely to be," he said.

The idea is that dog hunters tend to hunt areas that can be traversed or at least by vehicles. Bears being hunted with hounds will move to remote sections where they are not harassed by hounds. Thus, dog hunters may indirectly create harvest opportunities for still-hunters. As a cautionary note, it would not be ethical for a still-hunter to harvest a bear that is obviously being pursued or treed by a pack of someone else's hounds.