Forget the lion, March roars in like a bear in Bentonville

LITTLE ROCK — 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.
The event, hosted by Arkansas chapter of the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, has become a regular outdoor celebration with family-friendly activities and events as well as engaging presentations and exhibits from Natural State celebrities and the conservation community.
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.
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, exciting raffle prizes and local food trucks serving up some delicious meals, and you have one heck of an outdoor extravaganza.

"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."
Not only does the Bonanza offer a great opportunity to get the family out of the house in early spring to celebrate conservation, it’s also been instrumental in raising funds toward AGFC bear research and conservation. The BHA not only donated $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.