Black Bear Sightings in Dickson County Raise Eyebrows, But Experts Say its Normal

Burns, TN — Residents in Dickson County and neighboring Cheatham County have been buzzing this week after a series of black bear sightings stretched from rural Dickson County to Kingston Springs, highlighting a wildlife trend that experts say is becoming increasingly common across Middle Tennessee.

The first reported sighting occurred earlier this week on Jesse Work Road along I-40 in southeastern Dickson County. A few days later, another black bear was spotted on Spencer Mill Road in Burns. By Thursday and Friday, multiple sightings were reported in and around Kingston Springs, prompting local law enforcement to issue public safety reminders.

Officials in Kingston Springs encouraged residents to keep their distance from the animal and avoid approaching it under any circumstances.

"Do not attempt to take selfies with the bear, feed it, or follow it," local authorities advised. "Give it space and allow it to move through the area naturally."

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) says it is aware of the recent bear activity and is monitoring the situation. Wildlife officials note that while seeing a black bear in Middle Tennessee may still surprise some residents, it is no longer considered unusual.

According to TWRA, most bears that wander into Middle Tennessee are believed to originate from the growing black bear population in East Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains region. As bear numbers increase, younger bears—particularly males—often disperse from their home ranges in search of new territory.

A young male black bear can travel hundreds of miles during these journeys. In many cases, the animals simply pass through an area before returning to a more suitable habitat.

Wildlife experts say Middle Tennessee's forests, creek corridors, and rural landscapes provide natural travel routes that allow bears to move westward. The Cumberland Plateau serves as a particularly important corridor connecting East Tennessee to the rest of the state.

The recent sightings in Dickson County and Kingston Springs may be part of that natural movement.

As development continues across Tennessee, bears are also adapting to living closer to people. Easy food sources such as garbage, bird feeders, pet food, and outdoor grills can attract wandering bears into residential areas.

Fortunately, black bears are generally shy animals that prefer to avoid human contact. Attacks are extremely rare. The biggest concern is often residents unintentionally encouraging bears to linger by providing access to food.

TWRA recommends removing bird feeders, securing garbage cans, bringing pet food indoors, and allowing bears an unobstructed path to leave the area.

Where these bears ultimately end up remains uncertain. Some may continue westward before turning back east. Others could establish temporary ranges in remote forested areas of Middle Tennessee. Wildlife biologists note that black bears have gradually expanded their range across Tennessee over the past several decades, and occasional sightings in counties west of Nashville are no longer unheard of.

For now, experts expect the bears currently being seen in Dickson and Cheatham counties to continue moving through the region before eventually returning toward larger forested habitats in East Tennessee.