Arkansas is home to a robust and expanding population of the American Black Bear, Ursus americanus. These large omnivores were nearly eliminated from the landscape a century ago, yet their resurgence represents one of the most successful conservation achievements in North America.
Current Geographic Distribution
The distribution of black bears in Arkansas is centered around two primary, ruggedly forested regions that offer the highest quality habitat and cover. The largest concentrations are found in the Interior Highlands, encompassing the expansive Ozark Mountains in the northwest and the Ouachita Mountains across the west-central part of the state. These areas are dominated by oak-hickory forests that provide a consistent supply of hard mast, such as acorns, which is a major food source.
Density is highest in these mountainous regions, where the terrain is less fragmented by human development, allowing bears to establish large, undisturbed home ranges. However, the population has expanded well beyond this core habitat, a sign of its overall health and growth. Black bears are now commonly seen in the bottomland hardwood forests of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, particularly along the White River drainage, which historically maintained the state’s remnant native population.
Sightings are also increasing across the West Gulf Coastal Plain and in river corridors that serve as natural dispersal routes. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission estimates the current population at over 5,000 animals, with some figures suggesting a total closer to 6,000. This substantial number underscores a distribution that is now self-sustaining across much of the state’s heavily timbered areas.
The Remarkable Recovery of the Bear Population
The historical presence of bears in Arkansas was so pervasive that the state was once known by the nickname, “The Bear State.” However, unregulated hunting and widespread habitat destruction, largely due to logging and clearing land for agriculture, led to a catastrophic population crash by the early 20th century. By the 1930s, the state’s black bear population had dwindled to an estimated fewer than 50 individuals, most of which survived only in the remote White River National Wildlife Refuge.
This near-extinction prompted the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) to implement a restoration program. Beginning in 1958 and continuing through 1968, the AGFC successfully translocated 254 black bears into the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests. These animals were sourced from healthy populations in Minnesota and Manitoba, Canada, providing the genetic foundation for the current population.
The reintroduction effort, coupled with a complete prohibition on bear hunting until 1980, allowed the newly established population to thrive and reproduce. This project is cited by conservation biologists as one of the most successful reintroductions of a large carnivore. The resulting population boom not only saved the species from extirpation in Arkansas but also led to the expansion of bears into adjacent states like Oklahoma and Missouri.
Living Safely in Bear Country
As the black bear population continues to expand its range, the potential for human-bear interactions increases, making proactive safety measures a necessary part of life in bear country. The most frequent conflicts arise when bears are attracted by human-related food sources, which can lead to habituation and loss of natural wariness. Therefore, securely managing attractants is the most effective way to prevent problems.
Residents living near forested areas should store household garbage in sturdy, bear-resistant containers or secured buildings until the morning of collection. Pet food should never be left outside overnight, and bird feeders, which are high-calorie attractants, should be taken down during the spring and summer months when bears are most active. Cleaning outdoor grills thoroughly after use and storing them in a locked garage or shed also eliminates strong food odors.
When hiking or camping, individuals should travel in groups and make noise by talking or singing to alert bears to their presence and avoid startling them. Food, scented items, and trash must be stored properly at campsites, either by hanging them from a tree at least ten feet off the ground and four feet away from the trunk or by placing them in a hard-sided vehicle. Carrying bear spray is a recommended defensive measure.
If a black bear is encountered, remain calm, speak in a low voice, and slowly back away without running, which can trigger a chase response. It is illegal in Arkansas to intentionally feed a black bear outside of a legal hunting baiting period. This regulation protects both the public and the bears by keeping them from associating humans with easy meals. Maintaining distance and managing attractants ensures bears remain wild and people remain safe.