Maybe the bear wanted to clear the downed trees in front of its den? Whatever the reason, the owner wants his chainsaw back!

GATLINBURG, Tenn — The bears are feeding as they get ready to nestle in for the winter, but one bear in the Gatlinburg area apparently has an odd craving: chainsaws. 

On X, @BowTiedBroke shared Ring camera video of a bear just casually walking up to his front porch and then meandering off with his new chainsaw in its mouth.

“Well wasn’t this just a great way to wake up this morning. Went looking for my brand new chainsaw that I left on front porch last night,” he said. “Never gonna find that thing again. This means war!”

The man did eventually find his chainsaw in the woods. However, it was right next to what looked to be the bear’s home. He wasn’t about to take a chance with encountering “chainsaw bear” or its friends up close.

“Found my chainsaw! But Houston, we may have a problem. Found his den as well. I don’t feel my heart racing 100 mph very often, but this would be one of those times,” he said. “Walked back to cabin to do a shot or two of vodka and plot how this goes down. There’s a bear that’s been lurking with 3 cubs & that’s not a fight I want over a chainsaw. May see if I can get a rope and lasso it and pull it off that bank.”

Found my chainsaw! But Houston, we may have a problem. Found his den as well. I don’t feel my heart racing 100 mph very often, but this would be one of those times. https://t.co/lJVvTwOB31 pic.twitter.com/FP21FIouMI

— BowTiedBroke (@BowTiedBroke) November 6, 2025

Maybe the bear wanted to clear the downed branch in front of its den? Whatever the reason, the owner wants his chainsaw back, as he just bought it at Lowe’s for $500.

He said later on X, that he thinks the bear may have smelled the rotisserie chicken he had for lunch on the chainsaw.

Some people in the comments questioned if the video was AI, which is fair because social media is awash in AI-generated videos of animals doing strange things. The AI videos can be very convincing, even mimicking the style of typical porch camera videos. However, the matching sounds in the background, matching sped-up sequences and lack of any out-of-place “hallucinations” point to this video being very real.

“At the 2:33:20 mark, you can see the other bear appear at bottom. 2:37 – bye bye saw,” he said.

No, not AI. Here’s full Ring sequence. Apparently, as I watched it again, there were two bears…about to fight. They’re super aggressive right now (hungry, hibernate soon & females with cubs). At the 2:33:20 mark, you can see the other bear appear at bottom. 2:37 – bye bye saw. https://t.co/LqC8iUz9Ff pic.twitter.com/ZRUxAimzeV

— BowTiedBroke (@BowTiedBroke) November 6, 2025

While the video is pretty amusing, it’s also an important reminder that we live in bear country and that it’s always a good idea to secure your outdoor belongings with wild bears in mind, particularly food and trash. 


BearWise Tips

You are in bear country, so there’s a good chance you’ll see black bears here, even if you never go into the woods.      


Don’t Feed the Bears

Don’t leave food, trash or pet food outdoors when no one is around. A few seconds is all it takes for a hungry bear to swipe it.Feeding bears or using food to encourage bears to approach you is often illegal and always dangerous.Don’t throw scraps or leftovers out the car window or into the woods behind your vacation rental.If a trash container or dumpster is full, don’t pile trash outside; take it with you when you leave.Bird feeders = tasty bear snacks. It’s best to remove bird feeders when black bears are active.


Bear Viewing Guidelines

Stay in your vehicle; even bears that seem comfortable around people are still wild animals.Never approach bears or entice them to approach you.Enjoy bears from a safe distance. Stay at least 50 yards or 10 car lengths away.Don’t block the road to view bears. If permitted, pull over and take photos from the safety of your vehicle. 


Driving in Bear Country

Stay alert, stick to the speed limit and scan the roadsides. If a bear crosses the road, watch for cubs before you drive on. Be especially alert at dawn and dusk when bears are most active; black bears are fast and hard to see.If you hit a bear, don’t try to help it. Call 911 or report to authorities as soon as you can.

Wildlife collisions are not always covered by insurance.


Dogs and bears don’t mix. 

Keep your dog on a leash at all times when outdoors. Letting your dog approach or lunge at a bear puts you and your pet in danger.


Discourage Break-Ins

Lock vehicles; don’t leave windows open even a crack. Remove anything with an odor (food, drinks, trash, pet food, scented products).Keep exterior doors closed, even when you’re there.Don’t stash food, beverages, trash or recycling on porches/patios/decks. 


If You See a Black Bear

If a bear comes around your place, try to scare it away by making lots of noise, yelling or banging pots and pans together from a safe distance.If you see a bear near a dumpster or in a building, don’t approach or corner it. Give the bear an escape route. 

Black bears are seldom aggressive and attacks are rare.

Carry bear spray and know how to use it.If you see a bear before it notices you: Stand still, don’t approach and enjoy the moment. Then move away quietly in the opposite direction.If you encounter a bear that is aware of you: don’t run; running may trigger a chase response. Bears are fast and powerful animals and will outrun you in a short distance. Back away slowly in the opposite direction and wait for the bear to leave.If the bear attacks, do not play dead. The TWRA said you should do everything in your power to fight back using your fists, sticks, rocks or anything nearby that could be used to defend yourself.

Visit BearWise.org to learn more bear safety tips.