The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) begins its first black bear season on Saturday, December 10, 2022, the only time in modern history the event has occurred. During the season, hunters in Arkansas can legally harvest black bears in parts of the Delta in South Arkansas and the Gulf Coastal Plain.
The AGFC is happy to provide this opportunity for Arkansas hunters; however, it asks participants to be aware of a few key points regarding the new black bear season to ensure it becomes a staple in Arkansas outdoor programs.
Quotas and Weapons
The hunt dates for Bear Zones 3 and 4 run from December 10 to 16, but the AGFC may close it earlier if the zone’s quota is reached. The AGFC set the quota at 5 bears for zone 3 and 25 bears for zone 4.
Hunters must call the wildlife hotline at (800) 440-1477 to ensure the quota hasn’t been reached before heading to a bear zone to hunt. The hotline will be updated daily at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. during the hunt dates. The hunt will end once the quota has been reached or on December 16, whichever comes first.
The statewide bear harvest limit is one bear per hunter. Participants can use archery equipment, modern guns, or muzzleloaders to harvest a black bear.
Reporting Black Bear Harvests
Hunters who harvest a bear must call (877) 731-5627 to report the kill or check it through the AGFC’s smartphone app. If participants cannot check the bear immediately, they must create their own tag and include their name, harvest date, and the bear zone. They must also report the bear within 12 hours.
Hunters who harvest a bear must also submit one of the animal’s premolars. Once reported, the AGFC will send the appropriate packaging for this sample.
Although legal, the AGFC asks hunters to pass on shooting or harvesting female bears with cubs to ensure a healthy bear population in the coming years. Recently, biologists in Arkansas placed 13 special satellite tracking collars on female bears to track their movements.
The collars record valuable data for the AGFC to help keep bear numbers up in the area. The AGFC has provided a video to help hunters identify black bears and avoid shooting sows with cubs.
For more information on the inaugural bear season in Arkansas, visit the AGFC website or call the wildlife hotline at (800) 440-1477.
