Black bear attacks NW Arkansas

[zacattack]

Question for all the bear experts out there. We have had 3 black bear attacks in the Ozarks (northwest area) of Arkansas in the last couple of weeks, two were fatal. They reported that one was attacked and drug out of his campsite at night. We camp with our two small kids a good bit and are always on top of safety but this just seems bizarre and a bit unsettling, I never really worried about black bears that much. Is this a seasonal thing like with winter coming and they are just hungrier?

 

[Pescetism]

Not a bear expert but I've heard from people on the AR/MO border that've been a having bear issues for a few years but no attacks. Typical black bear problems; digging through trash, ransacking seasonal cabins, and making "dens" closer to people than desired. I suspect hibernation has something to do with the recent attacks, but I also think there are more bears in MO, and subsequently northern AR, than advertised so human interactions are increasing.

 

[CMF]

No expert, but I remember listening to a podcast with a CO game warden who said they would have significantly more bear conflict calls during years with bad berry or acorn crops.
Maybe it's a bad year for their primary food source?

 

[Truck24hr]

My drahts treed one in the backyard of my city lot not far from Fort Smith. The recent attacks I think are just coincidence, and I'm not so sure I believe what I read about the hikers story.

Not concerned myself