Little Rock, AR -(Ammoland.com)- The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission needs your help to determine the number and locations of black bears in bear zones 3 and 4 in southern Arkansas.
“We are soliciting public input from people who have photographs of black bears in those two zones,” said Myron Means, the AGFC’s bear program coordinator.
Zones 3 and 4 include all of Grant, Cleveland, Dallas, Nevada, Ouachita, Calhoun, Bradley, Drew, Ashley, Union, Columbia, Lafayette, Hempstead, Little River and Miller counties, as well as parts of Pulaski, Saline, Hot Spring, Clark, Pike, Howard, Sevier, Jefferson, Lincoln, Chicot and Desha counties.
“The AGFC needs photographs and GPS location information to assess abundance and distribution of the bear population in this part of the state,” Means said. “Most of the land in this part of Arkansas is privately owned, so the AGFC does not have a large land base to conduct surveys for an accurate estimate of the population. We need documentable evidence and locations for sightings within the last year.”
Means says the AGFC is trying to determine if the population’s abundance and distribution have potential for hunting opportunities.
If you have photographs with GPS information taken within the last year, please send them to Means at myron.means@agfc.ar.gov by Nov. 30.
About The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC)
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission plays an important role in keeping The Natural State true to its name. During the last 100 years, the agency has overseen the protection, conservation and preservation of various species of fish and wildlife in Arkansas. This is done through habitat management, fish stocking, hunting and fishing regulations, and a host of other programs.