Arkansas Bear Survey Includes Opportunity for Public Participation

By Ammoland Editor Joe Evans

USA -(Ammoland.com)- Just about every hunting camp in bear territory has a tale or two to tell about a mischievous bruin finding its way into their feeder or trash bins.

Over the years, those stories have expanded from the Ozark and Ouachita mountains into the southern half of the state, prompting Arkansas Game and Fish Commission biologists to keep a watchful eye on growing bear populations throughout Arkansas.

As part of this expanded monitoring effort, biologists are asking hunters and outdoors enthusiasts to help record bear sightings through a simple online survey on iNaturalist.org.

The Arkansas Bear Survey listed on iNaturalist provides credible observation and or photo documentation of black bear locations within the state to help biologists expand their collection of data.

Myron Means, large carnivore program coordinator for the AGFC, says game camera footage as well as increased awareness of bears has enabled more public participation in data collection in recent years.

“We receive images and reports of bears in feeders all the time, and we know the bears are expanding into new areas,” Means said. “This survey will help us gather location information as well …Read the Rest

Source:: AmmoLand