Learn to hunt bears with AGFC’s lead bear biologist

LITTLE ROCK — If you’ve ever dreamed of taking on the challenge of bear hunting in The Natural State, you’ll want to free up your calendar for one of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s upcoming workshops. Myron Means, AGFC large carnivore program coordinator will host a series of seminars throughout Arkansas dedicated to hunting black bears during August and September.
Means will present every aspect of hunting Natural State bears from scouting and bear behavior, to preparation for the hunt and care of harvested bears.

“Bear hunting really is all about finding food,” Means said. “They don’t have a rut during the fall like deer, but are about to go into their den cycle so they’re focused on one thing – eating.”

Means will help hunters use this knowledge to increase their chances of harvesting a bear, with tactics developed for private and public land hunters.

“We’ll cover baiting sites and how to pattern bears on private land,” Means said. “But we’ll also cover public land hunting, where baiting is not allowed.”

Finding bears on public land still revolves around finding food sources, but the work spent in gathering and distributing food for bait is spent wearing out boot leather scouting natural sources. Means says if acorns and other foods are plentiful, the bears will not need to move much to eat. During low mast years, they’ll move more and focus harder on particular trees that may still be producing acorns. 

“The secret is finding these ‘natural bait sites’ and scouting them without disturbing bears that may be feeding,” Means said. “Bears are much less forgiving than deer. If you bust them out scouting, they won’t be back. On private land bait sites, you can get away with a little more, but on public land you have to really minimize your presence.”

Means says focusing your scouting on late morning and early afternoon improves the chances of not running into a bear before hunting season. Hunters should look for areas with good mast crop and telltale signs of bears visiting, such as bear droppings or scat and bear trails. Bear trails are easily distinguished from deer and other game trails by the presence of small, dished out impressions from repeated footsteps in the same spot.

“Bears will step in nearly the exact same spot every time they travel a trail,” Means said. “So it will literally look like you went and put down a bunch of saucers in alternating patterns on each side of the trail.”

The seminar also will address what to do if your new knowledge pays off. Hunters can be intimidated by the idea of having this massive bear down and not knowing what to do with it to take care of their trophy. 

“Bears are much different than deer and can spoil quickly if not cared for properly,” Means said. “The fat layer they are putting on when gorging themselves can be very oily. Combined with them putting on their winter coats, a downed bear’s fat layer can begin rendering itself from the animal’s trapped body heat. That oil can saturate the meat and taint it with an unpleasant flavor.”

Means says hunters after bears should prepare for success and have coolers, plenty of sharp knives and rope waiting in the truck should they hit their mark. Acting quickly to skin, quarter and cool the bear is the key to great meals later.

“You also want to get as much of the outer fat layer off as possible,” Means said. “There’s enough marbling in a bear’s muscles to give the meat flavor and prevent it from drying out while cooking.

“I’ll give you every bit of knowledge you need for success,” Means said. “But just like with any hunting, your hunt’s success will hinge on how much effort you put into it. Put in the work, and you have a much better chance of being rewarded.”

Seminars will be held at the following times and locations. Call 479-478-1043 for more information:

• Aug. 15 — 6-8 p.m.
  AGFC Little Rock Headquarters
  2 Natural Resources Drive
  Little Rock, AR  72205
• Aug. 22 — 6-8 p.m.
  Lake Dardanelle State Park
  100 State Park Drive
  Russellville, AR 72802
• Aug. 27 — 6-8 p.m.
  National Park College
  101 College Drive
  Hot Springs, AR 71913
• Aug. 29 — 6-8 p.m.
  Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center
  8300 Wells Lake Road
  Fort Smith, AR 72916
• Sept. 3 — 5:30-7:30 p.m.
  Fayetteville Public Library
  401 W. Mountain Street
  Fayetteville, AR 72701