I'm trying to do some last-minute planning for a Bear hunt in Arkansas.

Plan on the Ouachita Ntl. Forest in Polk County, Zone 2 (no quota, modern gun nov 1-30).

Has anyone on here done this? Does anyone have any suggested camp grounds / any advice at all?

Thanks.

Yeah I got some advice, it is a complete waste of time without bait,but go see for yourself....

Get a national forest service map that is available in Mena at their office. There are roads you can follow to get to the higher elevations of the mountains. There is primative camp sites scattered through out the areas. There is no baiting allowed but the slow stalk and stop method works well. Stop and listen for bears eating hickory nuts, you can hear them crunching them from a long ways off,then put a stalk on them.

Did you read that in Fur Fish and Game,yeah I read that article to.....

Don't let any body fool you,you have less than 1% chance to kill a bear on public land in Arkansas...without bait or hounds...

I have family that live there, I hunt deer there but have walked up on a few bear. I dont hunt bear but could have easily shot the ones I walked up on....there's some big ones there too.

OK first of all it's pronounced "barr".

I'm originally from NW Arkansas.

I been wanting to try this also...was looking in the same zone

Are there any Bear outfitters in Arkansas?

Yes. Private land ones.

I think there one unit that only has a 30bear quota every year and its suppose to be the best. thinkin it was somewere central

This is a perfect scenario to use a thermal monocular. Spot those Barrs at 1000 yards.

I squirrel hunt in nw arkansas. I dont want to but I see them every trip. There are some big bears up in those mountains.

If you want the facts just go to AGFC website and look at the public land bear hunt results, these guys make it sound as easy as hunting hogs here in Texas....

ok debbie downer... we got it. odds are not high, but they are higher than if he stays at the house.

Just stating the facts bro....

post on the Arkansas hunting.net forum and the guys over there will let you know the real deal......friend of mine hunts the national forest and has seen bears on deer hunts.....however, a bears home range is about 60sq miles....will take some scouting for sure.....have a deer lease myself over in Okolona, AR as well as Dalark and there are bears in both places....won't be easy on public land with everyone having deer feeders up...can be done