LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas had its second-best bear hunt in modern times in 2004, based on the numbers of black bears taken by hunters.

Rick Eastridge, bear program coordinator for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, said 340 bears were checked by hunters, and quotas were filled in two of the four Arkansas bear zones open to hunting.

"This is the second-highest hunt total we've had," Eastridge said. "In 2001 there were 375 bears taken." Eastridge estimates the Arkansas black bear population is 3,000 to 3,500 and that a 10 percent take by hunters is desirable and sufficient for keeping the total number in balance.

He also said, "Nuisance bear complaints are dropping."

Of the 340 bears checked last fall, 183 were males and 157 wee females. In zone 1, the Ozark mountain region, 203 were checked and the hunt was closed Nov. 13. The quota was 200. In zone 2, the Ouachita mountain region, 88 bears were killed, and the quota was 150.  In zone 5 in southeast Arkansas, 38 bears were killed; the quota was 35. In zone 5A, also in southeast Arkansas, 11 bears were checked, and the quota was 15.

Eastridge said 166 bears were taken by bowhunting, 82 by muzzle-loader and 92 by modern gun. The archery season was Oct. 1-Nov. 30 in zones 1 and 2 unless closed earlier by a quota being reached. Muzzle-loader season was Oct. 18-24 in zones 1 and 2. Modern gun hunt was Nov. 1-30 in Zones 1 and 2 unless closed by a quota being reached, which happened in zone 1. The hunt in zone 5 was Dec. 11-19, and in zone 5A it was Dec. 4-19.