The rugged terrain and extensive forests of the Ozark Mountains define the landscape of Northwest Arkansas (NWA). As human development expands outward from urban centers, it is reasonable to ask whether large mammals like bears still inhabit the area. The answer is a definitive yes: bears are not only present but thrive in the remote woodlands and adjacent areas of the region.
Confirming Bear Presence and Species
The only species of bear found within Arkansas is the American Black Bear, Ursus americanus. These bears are not exclusively black; the Ozarks population often exhibits a range of coat colors, including brown and cinnamon phases. Approximately 23% of the Ozark population displays these lighter coats.
Black bears are the smallest bear species in North America. Adult males in Arkansas range from 130 to 300 pounds, while adult females are smaller, weighing between 90 and 150 pounds. These animals possess a straight facial profile, medium-sized rounded ears, and a short, inconspicuous tail. Black bears are shy and avoid human contact unless they have become habituated to finding food sources near residential areas.
Geographic Distribution and Habitat
The bear population of Northwest Arkansas is concentrated within the rugged topography of the Ozark Highlands. This area includes the dense, forested lands of the Ozark National Forest and the Boston Mountains. This habitat provides the thick understory vegetation and abundant food sources the species requires.
Bears utilize the oak-hickory forest types that dominate the NWA landscape. These hardwood forests produce a substantial mast crop of acorns and hickory nuts, which are crucial for bears to build up fat reserves before winter denning. The highest concentrations of bears are found in heavily forested counties, including Madison, Carroll, Washington, and Benton. Reports of bears venturing into the suburban edges of Washington and Benton counties, like Fayetteville and Bentonville, are increasing as the population expands.
Population Status and Management
The current robust population resulted from a major restoration effort. The black bear population in Arkansas was nearly extirpated by the 1930s due to unregulated hunting and extensive habitat loss, with fewer than 50 bears remaining. Between 1958 and 1968, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) relocated 254 black bears from Minnesota and Manitoba, Canada, releasing them into the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains.
Today, Arkansas supports an estimated population of over 5,000 bears. The Ozark region exhibits a higher density than the Ouachita Mountains, with research suggesting approximately 25 bears per 100 square kilometers in the Ozarks. The AGFC monitors and manages this recovered population, employing data collection methods such as genetic sampling via hair snares to track population health and movement.
To maintain stable population numbers and minimize conflicts, the AGFC utilizes regulated hunting seasons as a management tool. Hunting quotas and season dates are set to provide recreational opportunities while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the population. The state is divided into specific bear zones, and harvest data collected helps biologists stabilize the population within the Interior Highlands.
Preventing Human-Bear Encounters
Human-bear conflicts occur when bears are attracted to easily accessible food sources, causing them to lose their natural fear of people. Young male bears are often driven into developed areas in the spring and early summer as they search for new territory. Removing unnatural food attractants is the most effective way to prevent a bear from settling in a residential neighborhood.
Residents must eliminate accessible food sources:
- Secure all garbage in bear-resistant containers or store it inside a locked garage or shed until collection day.
- Pet food should always be fed indoors.
- Outdoor grills should be thoroughly cleaned of grease and food residue after each use.
- Bird feeders, especially those containing suet or seeds, should be taken down during the spring and summer months when bears are most active.
If an encounter does occur, remain calm, avoid running, and never attempt to approach the animal, particularly if cubs are present. Making noise, such as shouting or clapping, and slowly backing away while making yourself appear larger can help deter the bear and encourage it to leave the area.