Tennessee wildlife officials used to warn the public to be wary when in bear country. But now, “bear country” can, apparently be a front porch. A bear attacked an elderly Sevierville woman on her porch, leaving her with a scratched arm. Another reminder that bear encounters with humans are on the rise. The woman was sitting on her porch when a sow and three yearling cubs walked into the yard and climbed up on the porch. She used a chair to fend off the bear, and during the confrontation it swiped at her with its paw, injuring her arm. The bears then retreated and the woman called for help. Tennessee’s bear population has grown dramatically over the past two decades, prompting them to expand their range from the traditional Smokey Mountains into additional East Tennessee areas and on into Middle Tennessee.