Arkansas Bear on public land

[whiskey_brain]

Hey guys! I'm a SE Missouri resident looking to try archery bear hunting in Arkansas this coming fall. Specifically, I'm considering the Jim Kress WMA. I've never been bear hunting, in any capacity, and I've seen that baiting is not legal on public lands for Arkansas.

1- How is the bear hunting in area? I saw numbers that 4 or 5 bears were killed in the county last year, but wasn't sure if that was a reflection of bear population or hunting pressure or both.
2- What is considered good habitat and food sources for fall bears in that area?
3- Is hunting from a stand for deer and hoping a bear comes by a reasonable way to successfully hunt? Is spot and stalk a reasonable way to hunt them on Jim Kress WMA, especially with other hunters potentially nearby?
4- When is a good time to scout for bear sign and how do you make determination of good/bad sign given their large home range?

I'm a complete newbie to bear hunting, and I haven't set foot on the WMA yet, but hope to get down there several times before the season starts. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Head over to the new members section and give a quick intro.

Welcome to the forum

 

[brushcreek]

Bear hunting on public land in Arkansas is very difficult since you cannot bait. Some guys here have had luck sitting on water during dry years. Otherwise spot and stalk but that is difficult due to the tree cover.

 

[Yell Co AR Hunter]

That is a big challenge to have success in Arkansas bow hunting bear on public land. I know a couple guys that have done it so it is possible. First that is zone 1. Zone 1 has a quota set for archery, ML, and modern gun. Zone 2 does not have a quota. Don't let that fool you zone 1 has the most bears. The problem is in some years the 200 or so archery quota is filled in just a couple days in zone 1.
The guy I talked to just a couple days ago that archery hunts public land has killed 7 bears. He said he hunted water when it was dry. When not dry muscadines and persimmons.
I do not have any experience with the area you listed. I do know that Northern Pope, Newton, Searcy, and Van Buren counties have very good bear numbers.
To give a guy a longer season zone 2 is an option. I know Mount Magazine WMA holds good bear number in the areas of Magazine and Huckleberry mountain. The bear are in rough country and have a plan to get your bear out. I found a spot on Huckleberry mountain I knew I could kill a bear. Due to the amount of work involve to get the bear out I decided it was just to much for me.