Bear Hunters' Guide to Hunting Black Bears in Maryland 2012
Explanation of the Preference Point System
In 2007, DNR implemented a Preference Point System for bear hunting permit applicants. Each year that a hunter applies for a bear hunting permit he/she will receive one preference point if they are not selected for a bear hunting permit. The preference points will provide additional entries in future lotteries. Applicants will get one additional entry in the lottery for each year they are a concurrent applicant. The Preference Point System has been functioning as it was designed. Preference points have improved applicants’ chances of getting drawn in the lottery. In 2011, 87% of the successful applicants drawn in the lottery had at least one preference point.
New this Year
Residents of the hunt area (Garrett and Allegany counties) will receive preference in the lottery drawing. The first 25% of applications drawn will be reserved for residents of the hunt area. The remaining 75% of applications selected will be drawn from the remaining pool of all eligible applicants. This change is in response to continuous requests from the public since bear hunting has returned to western Maryland in 2004. This is an attempt to help residents experiencing nuisance bear problems address those issues directly through applied hunting pressure.
Black Bear Hunting
- Bear Hunter's Guide to Hunting Black Bears in Maryland
- How to Participate in the 2012 Permit Lottery
- Explanation of the Preference Point System
- An Overview of the Maryland Black Bear Hunting Seasons: 2004-2011
- Maryland Black Bear History & Management
- General Hunting Regulations
- Bear Hunting Regulations
- Bear Hunting Area
- Allegany County Bear Hunting Opportunities
- Pre-Hunt Meeting
- Bear Check-in Procedures
- Responsible Hunting
- Planning Your Bear Hunt
- Bear Hunting Techniques
- Care of Your Bear
- Maryland Black Bear Online Education - Videos
- Maryland Black Bear Hunt Home
