Final Day For Phone-In Applications For The Black Bear Hunting Permit

Annapolis, Md. (August 27, 2010) — Today is the final day that the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will accept phone-in applications from hunters wishing to participate in this year’s black bear hunting permit lottery. Applicants may call 1-888-579-6768 to apply over the phone until 5:30 p.m. today, and may continue to apply online 24 hours per day through September 1 at http://blackbear.dnr.state.md.us. This year’s black bear hunting season is scheduled for October 25 through October 30 in Garrett and Allegany counties.

All applicants must submit a $15 nonrefundable application fee via credit card, check, or money order. Checks and money orders must be received by 12 p.m. on Thursday, September 2 and should be made payable to MDDNR Black Bear and mailed to MDDNR Black Bear, P.O. Box 360, Frostburg, MD 21532. Only one application per person will be accepted. Duplicate applications will result in disqualification and the loss of all fees.

“Hunters are reminded to apply each year in order to retain their preference points in the permit system,” said Harry Spiker, Game Mammal Section Leader for DNR. “Hunters who cannot hunt this year are still encouraged to purchase a preference point to ensure additional entries in future lotteries.”

Applicants will also have the option of voluntarily contributing to the Black Bear Damage Reimbursement Fund when they apply for a permit. Donations will be used to directly reimburse Maryland farmers who have suffered agricultural damage caused by black bears. The Black Bear Damage Reimbursement Fund was established in 1996 and has paid out more than $100,000 in eligible claims to Maryland farmers.

260 bear hunting permits will be awarded for the 2010 hunting season. Hunters are reminded that the hunt has an established harvest quota of 65-90 bears and that the season will close once this quote is reached.

For more information, please visit: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/BlackBearGuide.asp.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov