We've had more bear sightings than we have in years," says Walt Reding, Assistant Superintendent of Queen Wilhelmina State Park. "We have also had more nuisance bears this year."

Visitors love rounding a curve on the Talimena Scenic Drive and spotting a Black Bear before it darts into the leafy forest on the edge of the road. This scene has happened over and over during the spring and summer. Every time, it creates a new vacation story for some lucky visitor. "Seeing bears is a great experience for our guests," said Reding. "We want them to."

Unfortunately, the increased bear activity can have a downside also. Sometimes the bears are attracted to the smell of human food. Like country boys new to the big city, they can get into big trouble once they are attracted by the new smells and tastes they find in the more developed area of the park. "It's our job to keep the bears away from the trash and campground for the protection of both bears and our guests," adds Reding. "We have been forced to request that the Game and Fish trap and remove four bears this year."

Sometimes it takes careful management to keep these bruins in their proper place. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission works closely with the Queen Wilhelmina staff to remove nuisance bears from the park quickly. This management protects both the bear and the tourists.

"We had to close the trails for a couple of days until one bear could be caught," says Reding. "Once this individual was trapped, the trails were reopened."

Campers are cautioned to keep a clean camp. They are advised not to take food inside tents or other soft-sided structures. Food should be locked in vehicles or trailers at night.

Visitors should never approach bears. Bear sightings should be reported to the park staff. The visitors to Queen Wilhelmina State Park have been very cooperative during the last couple of months. Their assistance has kept the campground safe and avoided attracting many bears into close proximity with the public.

"Living with bears takes common sense. The dry, hot conditions during late June were very stressful for many bears in the area," states Reding. "Until habitat conditions improve, we will continue to monitor the situation carefully."

The best way to see Black Bears is to travel west from the park on the Talimena Scenic Drive. While they can be seen any time of day the odds are increased around dusk or dawn. Travelers often see them along the drive from the safety of their cars. This is fun for the people and does the bear no harm. The possibility of seeing bears in their natural habitat is one more reason to visit the park.

Hundreds of Black Bears have been seen in and near Queen Wilhelmina State Park. They are a part of our natural heritage and a thrilling sight for many visitors to the park. With good management and assistance from the public, the bears will safely continue to be an exciting part of the park experience for years to come.

I gotta get my camera!!! CYA!!!!!

I saw a big one up past the lodge last week. :newlmao:

Darn it! Didn't see one this time......but have in the past.

Here, ya can have one of mine!

Hey Aw, Maybe about the middle of September you can give him a parkin' ticket! :sniper: :thumb:

I saw a G&f truck pulling a bear trap heading up the mountain yesterday. I heard they caught the trouble bear up there a couple of weeks ago. Anyone know if they got another one causing problems up there?

I was at the lodge a couple of weeks ago and the lady behind the check in desk told me that 4 bears had been relocated.

Gotta friend that lives just off of West boundry and they had a bear down there yesterday. They (G&F) were supposed to trap and relocate him asap.

Have some friends that live near the Ar/Ok border on 270. F & G trapped a nuisance bear on their property and hauled it 25 miles away. It was back in 5 days, lol.

Your first question is no doubt the same as mine, same bear, had a split in one ear.

Bears are everywhere

THats true. I once saw a bear playing the harmonica!

aw, that bear looks like the one i got pics of the other day out in back of our house. :sniper: