GATLINBURG, Tenn.— At the request of the Smokies BearWise Taskforce, the City of Gatlinburg is encouraging residents, visitors, and businesses to avoid using real produce in fall decorations this season.
Items such as pumpkins, gourds, squash, and loose corn can attract black bears, increasing the potential for dangerous encounters. This request is part of an ongoing effort by the City to reduce human-bear encounters and promote the safety of both bears and humans. While Gatlinburg is known for stunning autumn displays, which tandem with the area’s natural beauty and fall foliage, the use of real produce creates an additional attractant and possible food source for black bears.
The City has already taken significant steps to reduce bear attractants—such as implementing an animal-resistant dumpster program and expanding animal-resistant receptacle requirements—but real produce used in decorations can undermine these efforts.
The Smokies BearWise Taskforce is a collaborative partnership focused on reducing human-bear conflicts in and around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Using alternatives to real produce not only help deter bears but also offer a durable and reusable option for future seasons. Fake pumpkins, gourds, squash, and other produce would be proper alternatives.
For the past three years, the City of Gatlinburg has refrained from using real produce in its own fall decorations and encourages others to do the same.
In addition to these decorations, the City advises residents and visitors to secure all trash, remove bird feeders, and store pet food indoors. Additionally, the City also urges individuals to refrain from storing garbage or food in a vehicle, and to also lock all vehicle doors and keep all windows closed. These practices, combined with community cooperation, help reduce attractants and create a safer environment for both people and bears.
The City of Gatlinburg remains committed to promoting ways to reduce human-bear encounters. The City appreciates the cooperation of its citizens, visitors, and businesses in adhering to regulations, which helping maintain a safe and harmonious relationship with the natural world.
For the latest updates from the City of Gatlinburg, visit GatlinburgTN.gov or visit the City’s Social Media pages on Facebook and X. Individuals can also keep up with the latest from the City of Gatlinburg by downloading the City’s Mobile App on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store by searching for “City of Gatlinburg”
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