Bump

 

I can't help on most of your questions but I can tell you wont be snowing :biggrin: its normally 35-50 lows and 70-75 highs. Public hunting is very tough but I don't know the places your asking about to help there. Good luck and happy hunting.

 

I can't help on most of your questions but I can tell you wont be snowing :biggrin: its normally 35-50 lows and 70-75 highs. Public hunting is very tough but I don't know the places your asking about to help there. Good luck and happy hunting.

No snow is good news for me. Thanks for your input!

Anyone else?

 

If you are coming from Texas, I would hunt Muddy creek WMA in September before the acorns start falling. Bears are too scattered after the acorns start falling.

Mid september and find muscadines or persimmons.

White rock has a few bears but too much traffic for Me.

What kind of Texas hunt would you swap for a private land hunt over bait?

 

If you are coming from Texas, I would hunt Muddy creek WMA in September before the acorns start falling. Bears are too scattered after the acorns start falling.

Mid september and find muscadines or persimmons.

White rock has a few bears but too much traffic for Me.

What kind of Texas hunt would you swap for a private land hunt over bait?

Not trying to be argumentative, just trying to learn. Why would you recommend Muddy Creek? According to the harvest report there are quite a bit less bears harvested in the 3 counties that make up the Muddy Creek WMA. Is the lack of acorns and less traffic a big enough draw to hunt an area with less bears? Or are there a lot of bears, but everyone hunts zone 1 b/c of the harvest report numbers?

In regards to a hunt swap you read my mind! I was thinking about posting a thread to see if anyone would be interested in that. I'm on a private lease with with 4 other guys and we share 750 acres. The main game is whitetail. I usually get 1 buck, 1 spike, and 3-4 doe tags. I would be willing to swap the spike and 2-3 of the doe tags depending on how I was reciprocated. I would like to harvest a buck and a doe for myself. I have no idea if that would be a fair trade, but if you're interested I'm open to trying to work something out!

 

Not trying to be argumentative, just trying to learn. Why would you recommend Muddy Creek? According to the harvest report there are quite a bit less bears harvested in the 3 counties that make up the Muddy Creek WMA. Is the lack of acorns and less traffic a big enough draw to hunt an area with less bears? Or are there a lot of bears, but everyone hunts zone 1 b/c of the harvest report numbers?

In regards to a hunt swap you read my mind! I was thinking about posting a thread to see if anyone would be interested in that. I'm on a private lease with with 4 other guys and we share 750 acres. The main game is whitetail. I usually get 1 buck, 1 spike, and 3-4 doe tags. I would be willing to swap the spike and 2-3 of the doe tags depending on how I was reciprocated. I would like to harvest a buck and a doe for myself. I have no idea if that would be a fair trade, but if you're interested I'm open to trying to work something out!

A lot less hunting pressure in Muddy creek AND more bears. Don't put too much stock in harvest reports for bears. Most bears are taken on private land over bait so the area with the most private land take the most bears. White Rock is within a 30 minute drive of two of the 3 biggest cities in Arkansas. Lots of pressure.
A friend of mine was a big game biologist for G+F and He trapped and tagged many huge bears in Muddy Creek. Probably more bears per square mile in there than any public land in Arkansas.
What part of Texas are you in?...

 

A lot less hunting pressure in Muddy creek AND more bears. Don't put too much stock in harvest reports for bears. Most bears are taken on private land over bait so the area with the most private land take the most bears. White Rock is within a 30 minute drive of two of the 3 biggest cities in Arkansas. Lots of pressure.
A friend of mine was a big game biologist for G+F and He trapped and tagged many huge bears in Muddy Creek. Probably more bears per square mile in there than any public land in Arkansas.
What part of Texas are you in?...

That's great info, thank you for that!

I live in College Station, my lease is in Washington Co. near Independence. Looks like I'm about 7 hrs. 45 mins. from Muddy Creek, not sure where you are located.

 

Here is a little more info for you.
http://www.arbear.org/arbear.org/Article_"A_Case_for_Arkansas_Black_Bear.html

There are some pretty nice bears here. This one ate my trail camera last fall.

 

Duplicate post

 

I hunt zone one. In past years it's opened up 30 days prior to zone two. (Scott county). Zone 1 is Johnson and this year it opens up on September 15 aswell. If I were you, I'd make sure you went when it opens. Weeks later won't be in you favor. Your chances are going to be slim to none anyhow. Public means no baiting, and that narrows your chances. You will have to be really lucky I think. Just my 2 cents. Hit up the rec areas around where your going. They have several nice locations.

 

Here is a little more info for you.
http://www.arbear.org/arbear.org/Article_"A_Case_for_Arkansas_Black_Bear.html

There are some pretty nice bears here. This one ate my trail camera last fall.

Yes, I've read that article. I actually revisited it last night. You made an important point about private land vs public. I didn't catch that the first time I read the article.

Nice bear by the way. I'd be happy with that

 

I hunt zone one. In past years it's opened up 30 days prior to zone two. (Scott county). Zone 1 is Johnson and this year it opens up on September 15 aswell. If I were you, I'd make sure you went when it opens. Weeks later won't be in you favor. Your chances are going to be slim to none anyhow. Public means no baiting, and that narrows your chances. You will have to be really lucky I think. Just my 2 cents. Hit up the rec areas around where your going. They have several nice locations.

Yes, I know it's a crap shoot. But I've always enjoyed the hunt just as much as the kill. AR is beautiful and I'm looking forward to spending some time in the woods. We'll have whitetail tags too, so I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for a WT as well!

 

One of the guys in our group is from AR and is moving back there in August. It looks like he's going to spend some time scouting for us, so that should be helpful.

 

Here is the truth about bear hunting in Arkansas. The odds are small but the reward is big for public land bow hunter. You can not kill one if you do not try. And no where else on this earth can you do a three day hunt for the price Arkansas charges. Arkansas will offer trophy class black bear. Water, food source, and human pressure are key to success. I think the main reason private land in zone 1 harvest numbers are higher is due to more private land in bear country. Most of the bear range in zone 2 is public and no bait allowed.

 

Spot on! There is one way I can guarantee not to harvest a bear and that's to stay home. The chances are slim, but the reward if it happens would be amazing! Oh and yeah, you CAN'T beat the price! I was blown away when I saw it and we all immediately started planning a trip:up:

Thanks everyone for your input, thus far. I think we are definitely set on Muddy Creek. Hopefully my friend will be able to do some good scouting prior to us going.

 

You might check into dry creek wilderness area also. I know some people who hunt up there and have killed a few over the years.

 

Good luck!

The only other advice that i would give would be to hunt September if you can. Like I said before, once the acorns start dropping they are more scattered. If it is dry, hunt the creek bottoms and springs. If it is wet, hunt the ridge tops. Look for muscadines if they are falling.

Use scent bombs (bear bombs) if you can find them.

Hope you kill a big-un!

 

I'll try to convince the guys to go in sept. I would prefer it so I can be back at my lease for WT season. One of the guys really wants to go in Oct for the chance at a wt. I'll share your logic (knowledge) with him and see if that works

I have been looking at the bear bomb. My only question is if the ones that smell like food are legal? I don't remember the exact wording, but on agfc's website they include baiting to be anything that mimics food, or something to that affect.

 

I'll try to convince the guys to go in sept. I would prefer it so I can be back at my lease for WT season. One of the guys really wants to go in Oct for the chance at a wt. I'll share your logic (knowledge) with him and see if that works

I have been looking at the bear bomb. My only question is if the ones that smell like food are legal? I don't remember the exact wording, but on agfc's website they include baiting to be anything that mimics food, or something to that affect.

I believe that you are correct about the scents on public land. That is a little extreme if you ask Me.

 

I'll try to convince the guys to go in sept. I would prefer it so I can be back at my lease for WT season. One of the guys really wants to go in Oct for the chance at a wt. I'll share your logic (knowledge) with him and see if that worksQUOTE]

Archery season for deer opens on Sep 15th this year.

 

Beware the weekend of 9-29, there will be a bunch of Hogs descending on CSTAT! Since you guys are bowhunters, you should get annual non res licenses, bow season for deer does not end until end of February.

 

I'll try to convince the guys to go in sept. I would prefer it so I can be back at my lease for WT season. One of the guys really wants to go in Oct for the chance at a wt. I'll share your logic (knowledge) with him and see if that worksQUOTE]

Archery season for deer opens on Sep 15th this year.

Sweet, where can you see the 2012 dates? I've been looking online and didn't realize I was looking at 2011 dates

http://www.agfc.com/hunting/Pages/HuntingDeerDates.aspx

 

Beware the weekend of 9-29, there will be a bunch of Hogs descending on CSTAT! Since you guys are bowhunters, you should get annual non res licenses, bow season for deer does not end until end of February.

The animals or bikes?

I know one of the guys is doing it for sure. I think I'd be stupid not to for only $300. I like the idea of extending my wt season!

 

Razorback Hogs as in Woo Pig Sooie!!!! The kind that will Whoop some Aggie a$$ at Kyle Field.

 

Razorback Hogs as in Woo Pig Sooie!!!! The kind that will Whoop some Aggie a$$ at Kyle Field.

Sorry, I don't watch much football so I didn't get it. With the SEC change will this be our first year to play you?