Bear Hunters' Guide to Hunting Black Bears in Maryland 2011

An Overview of the Maryland Black Bear Hunting Seasons: 2004-2010

On October 25th 2004, Maryland DNR conducted Maryland’s first black bear hunting season in 51 years. After decades of research and population monitoring, the decision was made to once again hunt black bears in western Maryland. The hunt was conducted in Garrett County and western Allegany County (from Cumberland west. Two hundred bear hunting permits were awarded. The goal of the hunt was to slow the growth of western Maryland’s growing black bear population.

In 2006, DNR expanded the hunt area to include all of Garrett and Allegany counties and increased the number of permits awarded to 220.  In 2006, hunters harvested 41 bears in two days.  Hunters harvested 51 bears in four days in 2007 and 56 bears in four days in 2008. In 2009, the number of permits was increased to 240 and 68 bears were harvested. In 2010, the number of permits was increased to 260.  Despite unseasonably warm temperatures, 67 bears were harvested in five days. Hunter success rates have consistently been higher than the regional average of 3% to 5% (see Table 1).

In 2004, 20 black bears were checked in on the opening day of the hunting season. In 2005, hunters harvested 40 bears in four days. This was achieved despite an early-season snowstorm and long-term power outages across most of the hunt area. In 2006, DNR expanded the hunt area to include all of Garrett and Allegany counties and increased the number of permits awarded to 220. In 2006, hunters harvested 41 bears in two days. Hunters harvested 51 bears in four days in 2007 and 56 bears in four days in 2008. In 2009, the number of permits was increased to 240 and 68 bears were harvested in four days. Hunter success rates have consistently been higher than the regional average of 3% to 5% (see Table 1).

Table 1. Bear Hunt Statistics: 2004-2010