Bear
Arkansas’ black bear population, historically distributed statewide, was nearly extirpated by the early 1900's because of over exploitation from unregulated hunting and habitat loss caused by human population expansion. In 1951, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission reported that only 40-50 bears remained in the state.
Between 1958 and 1968 approximately 254 bears were introduced to Arkansas. In 1980, after a 52-year prohibition, bear hunting resumed in Arkansas. The objectives of the hunt were to provide recreational opportunity to hunters and to collect biological data that would help manage the black bear as a resource. Bear sightings became common in the area and bear-human conflicts increased. Therefore, after a 74-year prohibition, bear hunting was reinstated in the Delta region of Arkansas for the 2001 season.
The following links have information relating to the bear season dates, licenses required for hunting bear in Arkansas, historical harvest data and more.
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Type of license needed to hunt bear, where to purchase a license, residency requirements, hunter education requirements and more.
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Steps a hunter must take after harvesting a bear.
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