Ark-in-saw bear

I don't have a lot of info on the bear in Arkansas but from what I can glean there are decent populations in the Ouchita and Boston mountains. Nothing like some of the Canadian provinces but huntable. There's also lots of public land in both areas. Baiting is allowed on private land but not public and hunting them with dogs isn't allowed. Dog hunting for bear is allowed in Maine and I highly recommend both the method and the state. THAT was a lot of fun, beautiful scenery and nice, interesting people. Back to Arkansas...I chose Arkansas because it's close to me, the tags aren't brutally priced and I have some friends down there. It's very difficult for me to take much time off from the business and in 3 1/2 hours I can be there. We'll be hunting not far from Harrison.

I don't believe there will be any 600 lb. bears killed. 200-250 will probably be a pretty decent bear down there. I'd say 300 would be good for bragging rights. This year that part of Arkansas is suffering from the same late spring freeze we had here in Missouri, consequently the mast crop is way down. My friend works in the same building as some Arkansas F&G biologists and they tell him the bear are going to be moving a lot in search of food. That, and given the size of a bears home range and the local population will make bear hunting kinda tough. Neither of us have the time to set up a few bait stations which this year I believe could make a world of difference. Still, it will be 4 days in some really beautiful country spent with a good friend......success in taking a bear would be icing on the cake.

As this is my first time hunting down there I kinda expect it to be more of a learning season. I'll know more after I return and will pass that on.

All I know about hog hunting in Arkansas is that there are better places to go.

Vic