One Week Left to Apply for Black Bear Hunting Permits

DNR Accepting Applications Online

Annapolis, Md. (August 29, 2011) — There is less than one week left to apply online for the 2011 black bear hunting permit lottery at http://blackbear.dnr.state.md.us (the deadline for phone-in applications was August 26). This year’s black bear hunting season is scheduled for October 24-29 in Garrett and Allegany counties.

“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.”

Hunters may continue to apply online 24 hours a day through 11:59 p.m. this Friday, September 2. 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 Monday, September 5 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.

Applicants will also have the option to voluntarily contribute 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. Hunters voluntarily donated a total of $1,820 to the fund during the 2010 lottery.

260 permits will be awarded for the 2011 hunting season. Hunters are reminded that the hunt has an established harvest quota of 55-80 bears and that the season will close once the quota is reached.

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

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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 a 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