Join Joey Holt for a day filled with fascinating facts about our Smokies black bear. Class time will involve topics such as basic black bear information, hiking and camping safety in bear country, threats our black bears face and what we can do about them, and work up and release returning cubs back to the wild. Class time will also include PowerPoint presentations, show-and-tell items, and open class discussions before you join Holt in the Park's backcountry for a moderate hike where you'll search for food sources and possible den sites. With Holt's experience in tracking and interpreting terrain, he'll provide you with the best opportunities to identity bear trails, tracks, scat, and other often-missed signs. Along your hike you will discuss hiking and camping safely in bear country as well as the dos and don'ts of bear encounters.

You must be 18 or older to register for and attend a Smoky Mountain Field School course.

Note: Participants are required to sign an electronic release and assumption of risk form before attending this course.

Student praise for this course: "I really enjoyed the course. Joey was very knowledgeable and gave out some wonderful information on our black bears."

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cosby Picnic Pavilion