Does your NRA Family live in Arkansas or nearby? You're invited to celebrate one of the world’s most successful wildlife reintroduction stories at the fourth annual Black Bear Bonanza, March 1 at the Benton County Fairgrounds Auditorium. With plenty of family-friendly activities and events, including raffle prizes and food trucks, there's plenty to make everyone smile.
By "everyone," we mean anyone who cares about conservation, whether you're a dedicated black-bear hunter or not. The Bonanza doesn't just entertain and inform; it also raises money for bear research and conservation. Hosted by the Arkansas chapter of the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Association, has allowed the organization to donate $5,000 to help with satellite-collar research in the south Arkansas bear population, it also played a key role in a recent land donation that opened up additional public access to Cedar Creek Wildlife Management Area in Scott County.
Outdoorsmen Clay Newcomb and Brent Reaves, content creators for the MeatEater family of products, will share their latest outdoor adventures and expertise on all things bear. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Bear Program also will be available to talk about the status of black bears in Arkansas, and how hunters and conservation-minded outdoorspeople can help maintain one of Arkansas’s most treasured natural resources.
Here's a quick schedule of events:
- 9am - Dr. Devin Pettigrew - The Hunter's Edge: How Carnivory Shaped our Species
- 10am - Rick Spicer - Wilderness First Aid for Hunters
- 11am - Chef Travis McConnell - Hog Butchery and Preservation
- 12pm - Music with The Glass Brothers - Greenwoods Finest Pickers
- 1pm - The International Owl Hoot Competition
- 2:30pm - Clay Newcomb and Brent Reaves - A Fireside Chat
- 4pm - Wardens of AGFC followed by RAFFLE DRAWING!!
Many additional vendors will be on hand to talk about the many aspects of conservation as well. Top that off with an owl hooting contest, and you have one bear of an outdoor event.
"The Black Bear Bonanza is more than just a celebration of bears," says Larry Haden, chapter chairman of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. "It's about bringing people together to appreciate our outdoor heritage and working together to ensure its future. This event is a testament to the power of conservation and the importance of protecting our public lands for future generations." Visit The BHA’s event page for more information and tickets.
