Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

Appalachian Bear Rescue is rehabilitating an underweight black bear cub found in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The cub, nicknamed Hemlock Bear, is the first to be admitted to the facility in nearly two years and is receiving treatment for health complications and parasites.

A Missouri man was killed and a Tennessee man was seriously injured after two personal watercraft collided on Tims Ford Lake near the Tims Ford Bass Club boat ramp. The incident, which occurred around 5:20 p.m., is under investigation by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, with a blood alcohol test conducted on the injured man.

A man died in a boating incident near Tims Ford Bass Club in Middle Tennessee. The victim, identified as Christopher W. Bontrager, 41, of Missouri, was pronounced deceased on the scene, while another man, John H. Prater, 41, of Tracy City, Tennessee, was hospitalized. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is leading the investigation, which has recorded 12 boating-related fatalities in Tennessee waterways in 2026.

A deadly boating incident occurred near Tims Ford Bass Club in Middle TN, resulting in one fatality. The victim's injuries were sustained during the incident, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is investigating. The Winchester Police Department responded to the scene on Tuesday afternoon.

Black bears have been spotted in several Middle Tennessee counties outside their traditional range, prompting wildlife officials to urge residents to secure food sources like garbage and bird feeders. A bear was recently seen in a backyard in Dickson County, and residents expressed mixed reactions of surprise and concern while emphasizing coexistence.

Tennessee hunters planning to hunt deer over bait this season will require a new license. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) announced the new Deer Bait license will go on sale next week.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency reported no boating-related deaths during the Fourth of July holiday, with 11 injury incidents and 16 boating under the influence arrests. A drowning victim was recovered in Stewart County, and the total boating-related deaths this year are 10, down from 13 in the same period last year.

No boating-related fatalities were reported over the Fourth of July weekend on Tennessee waterways, despite more than a dozen arrests for boating under the influence during Operation Dry Water, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

A black bear was spotted near Otts BBQ in Dickson County, Tennessee, prompting police notification. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) reported recent bear sightings in multiple counties and advised securing food sources to prevent encounters. TWRA emphasized following BearWise guidelines, including not feeding bears and securing grills, garbage, and pet food.

The Appalachian Bear Rescue near Gatlinburg reopened after a closure due to a pneumonia outbreak, raising $800,000 for new facilities and establishing new protocols with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The facility will now rehabilitate orphaned black bear cubs under updated rules, including population limits and regional intake restrictions.

A 35-year-old man drowned while swimming at Gray’s Landing in Stewart County’s Kentucky Lake on the 4th of July. The search for his body was postponed due to lightning, and the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident instead of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will address Nashville residents about black bear sightings and safety measures during a community meeting on June 25. The meeting will include guidance on reporting bear activity and following BearWise protocols to avoid conflicts.

A Middle Tennessee man died on the Barren Fork River, marking the tenth fatality this year according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

A 48-year-old man from Manchester died after falling unresponsive from a boat on the Barren Fork River near Mount Leo, Tennessee. Emergency responders, including TWRA, EMS, and rescue squads, transported him to a hospital, but he did not survive. This incident marks Tennessee’s 10th boating-related fatality of 2026.

Millersville Police Department in Middle Tennessee warns residents to avoid approaching or feeding a black bear spotted near the Turners Bend subdivision. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) emphasizes securing food sources and following BearWise guidelines as black bear sightings increase in the region during spring and early summer.

Orphaned black bear cubs in Tennessee are receiving a second chance in the wild as the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Appalachian Bear Rescue resume rehabilitation efforts. The collaboration aims to support the cubs' survival through care and eventual release.

Black bear sightings in Cheatham County, Tennessee, have caused concern among residents in Kingston Springs and Pegram. Multiple bears are reported to be roaming the area, with sightings near homes and porches, though wildlife officials state the bears are avoiding people and not aggressive. Residents are taking precautions to protect pets and children.