Arkansas is having its worst bear season in at least a decade

[Ozarkansas]

Arkansas is currently sitting at just 232 bears harvested after a month of the season being open. The quota for Zone 1 archery alone is 400 and it’s usually hit after the first two weeks. This will likely be the worst season in over a decade, if not the worst since baiting was allowed.

The reason for this is probably drought, which has caused the oaks to drop their acorns about a month early. So bears haven’t had much reason to visit bait sites, even though the AGFC moved the season opener to two weeks earlier.