Black Bear Task Force - Appendix K: 
Statement of The Allegany Garrett Sportsmans Association, BBTF Member

Black Bear Task Force Report and Recommendations
To The Maryland Department of Natural Resources 
March 28, 2003 

APPENDIX K: 
STATEMENT OF JERRY ZEMBOWER, PRESIDENT, ALLEGANY-GARRETT SPORTSMANS ASSOCIATION
- MEMBER OF THE 2002 MARYLAND BLACK BEAR TASK FORCE 

Bear hunting is not new to our state. From the early 1900s until the early 50's Marylanders were allowed to hunt bear, but due to low population, the hunt was abandoned until the population could once again sustain a hunt. That time is now. 

With the increase in population and an increase in their range, these bear are now becoming a nuisance, from entering houses to destroying personal property. Even showing aggressive behavior towards humans more than 40 are being killed each year on the highways and by people protecting themselves here in Western Maryland. The AGSA feels this is the time for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to instill a hunt either as a recreational hunt or a limited hunt to help stabilize the population and this would also give the farmers some relief from the damage that is caused to crops. We also feel that bears that have caused problems and have been trapped several times should be euthanized and not just moved to another area. If a hunt is not implemented, the AGSA would recommend that the bear be reclassified as a non-game animal and that no more money be taken from wildlife for the bear that the money come from the general fund. Back in the early 90's the sportsmen of the AGSA gave several thousand dollars to the DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service to help them study the bear. No other organizations or individuals contributed any funds to help in these studies. 

The animal rights groups felt that a bear stamp or conservation stamp would be the answer to help pay for damage done by the bear. This has been a complete failure and it is now tens of thousands of dollars in the red and it has never paid in full for damage caused by the bear. In short the hunters have footed this program with their dollars from the sale of hunting licenses and taxes for our hunting equipment. The AGSA also feels that bears are very adaptable and an opportunistic and could live just about anywhere in the state. Several years ago the DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service trapped and transplanted turkey from Western Maryland to every county of our fine state and since then we now have a state wide Spring Hunting Season. This could also be done with the bear so that all of the people of our state could enjoy them. 

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