The objective for managing bears is to manage visitors in a manner that allows bears to live naturally and provide for safe visitor use. Whitetail Deer Deer live throughout the Smokies, but are most commonly seen in Cades Cove. Between 400-800 deer live near the Cove. When visiting at sunrise, it is common to see 200 deer. Deer populations can change quickly.
Local overpopulation leads to widespread disease and starvation.
Predation by wolves, coyotes, bears, and bobcats help reduce threats associated with overpopulation. Deer living in the southern Appalachians give birth in late June. Newborn fawns have no defense beyond camouflage. Many are lost to predation during their first few days. By their second spring, males begin to grow antlers.