SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. — A yearling male black bear was shot and killed Sunday after it broke into an elderly Sevierville homeowner’s house, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) said.
The homeowner told authorities he woke about 1:30 p.m. to noises coming from his kitchen and discovered the bear had forced its way in through a screen door. The animal ran out of the house but stayed on the property, and the man shot it outside with a shotgun. TWRA later confirmed the bear died and said the same animal had recently broken into an outbuilding on the property.
TWRA investigated and determined no violations had occurred. The agency noted that black bears rarely enter occupied homes and that this sort of behavior often develops after repeated intentional or unintentional feeding by people — for example through unsecured garbage, birdseed, or pet food. Officials also said the neighborhood has had recurring problems with unsecured trash, contributing to car break-ins, home entries and even injuries.
The homeowner told TWRA he had not wanted to take action but felt he had to protect his safety.
Additional context and practical guidance
– TWRA emphasized that bears entering occupied homes is unusual and usually linked to accessible food sources. Yearling bears can be particularly bold when learning to seek human-associated food.
– Common prevention measures include securing trash in bear-proof containers, removing or limiting birdfeeders (especially in spring and fall), keeping pet food indoors, and locking up outbuildings and barns.
– If a bear is on your property but not posing an immediate threat, wildlife agencies recommend keeping a safe distance and contacting local wildlife authorities rather than confronting the animal.
Commentary
This incident underscores how quickly human-wildlife conflicts can escalate when attractants are readily available. While the homeowner acted to protect himself, the situation highlights the community-level role in preventing such encounters by eliminating easy food sources and reporting problems early to wildlife authorities.
Brief summary
An elderly man in Sevierville shot and killed a yearling male black bear after it entered his home through a screen door and later would not leave the property. TWRA investigated, found no violations, and linked the incident to a local problem with unsecured trash and other attractants.
Hopeful note
Reducing bear encounters is largely solvable with coordinated local action: securing attractants, public education, and prompt reporting can lower the chances of dangerous encounters and help keep both people and bears safer.