Arkansas’s natural landscapes are home to a remarkable wildlife story. Black bears, once nearly extirpated, have re-established a thriving population. Understanding their numbers, how they are managed, and how humans can safely share their habitats is important for residents and visitors.
Arkansas’s Thriving Bear Population
Arkansas’s black bear population is robust, with current estimates indicating over 5,000 bears across the state. This signifies a healthy and growing population. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) uses scientific data to track these numbers. While bears are found throughout various woodland regions, studies show a steady increase in areas like the West Gulf Coastal Plain, where the population grows at approximately 4 percent per year.
Monitoring Bear Numbers
The AGFC employs a range of scientific methods to monitor black bear populations and understand their health and distribution. Techniques include hair snares, where bears leave DNA samples for identification and density estimates. Radio-collaring allows biologists to track bears, locate dens, and gather data on reproduction and cub survival rates.
Hunters contribute by submitting a premolar tooth from harvested bears for age determination. Hair samples from harvested bears are also encouraged for DNA analysis. The AGFC encourages public reporting of bear sightings through platforms like iNaturalist, which aids in understanding bear locations and expansion. All this data feeds into population modeling, helping the AGFC assess growth rates and establish sustainable hunting levels.
A Remarkable Comeback Story
Black bears were once abundant in Arkansas, leading to the state’s informal nickname, “The Bear State.” By the early 1900s, their numbers plummeted due to unregulated hunting and widespread habitat loss. By 1927, fewer than 100 black bears remained, prompting the state legislature to outlaw bear hunting. The population dwindled to as few as 25-50 bears by the 1930s.
The AGFC initiated a reintroduction program between 1958 and 1968, relocating 254-260 black bears from Minnesota and Manitoba, Canada, to the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains. This program, coupled with game management and habitat improvements, allowed the bear population to recover. Arkansas’s black bear resurgence is recognized as one of the most successful large carnivore reintroductions globally. Bear hunting reopened in 1980 after a 52-year prohibition, reflecting the species’ recovery.
Coexisting with Black Bears
With a growing black bear population, understanding how to coexist safely is important. Black bears generally prefer to avoid human interaction, but they can be attracted to easily accessible food sources. This attraction can diminish their natural fear of people, potentially leading to conflicts.
To minimize encounters and prevent conflicts:
- Secure outdoor trash cans with metal, lockable lids in inaccessible areas.
- Remove bird feeders and pet food bowls, as these are common attractants.
- Clean barbecue grills after use to prevent lingering food odors.
- Use electric fencing for gardens or beehives.
- If a bear is sighted, make noise, avoid approaching or feeding it, and never run.
- Make yourself appear larger and slowly back away, allowing the bear to move on.
- Feeding bears outside of legal hunting baiting periods is prohibited.