It hasn’t been very long since the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) stopped bear hunting in the state.  In fact, on the geologic time scale, 1953 was only a blink in time ago.  It was then, though, that DNR halted bear hunting due to concerns of a dwindling bear population.  The dwindling black bear population was due mostly to large scale timber cutting operations that seriously altered Maryland’s landscape throughout the 18^th, 19^th, and early 20^th centuries.  Bears suffered the same fate as many other forest animals, such as deer and turkeys, as settlers cleared the rugged landscape to carve a living.  In fact, the black bear went on to be classified as a state endangered animal from 1972 until 1980.

In the 1980s, though, it became apparent that bruins were making a comeback in the hills of western Maryland.  Due to better forest management practices and other conservation measures over the last several decades, black bears are now thriving on the western Maryland landscape.  In fact, black bear populations are increasing substantially throughout most of their range in North America.  It was during the 1980s that DNR began actively researching our black bear population.  Wildlife biologists began recording sightings and deploying radio collars on black bears so that they could learn where these animals lived and traveled, how many cubs were being born, and other habits of these captivating animals. 

In the 1990s, DNR conducted its first population estimate and developed its 1^st 10-Year Black Bear Management Plan.  Now, well into the 21^st century, DNR continues to research these bears more than ever.  We are now working under the guidance of the 2^nd 10-Year Black Bear Management Plan, and two additional population estimates have been conducted.  Multiple trend-based population surveys are conducted annually and several university graduate students have conducted additional research on this population of bears.  The most recent university project is currently winding down.  This project that DNR has collaborated on with West Virginia University has tracked both black bear and bear hunter movements utilizing advanced GPS technology (Fig. 1).  I have no doubt that these are the good old days for black bears throughout western Maryland and the mid-Appalachian region.

Fig. 1.  GPS points of 2 female black bears near Deep Creek Lake, Garrett County, MD.

Western Maryland is home to some very high quality bear habitat.  Although it was clear in the early days of this decade that the bear population was not approaching Biological Carrying Capacity (BCC), or the maximum number of bears that the habitat will support, DNR did have concerns about reaching the Cultural Carrying Capacity (CCC), or the maximum number of bears that Maryland’s citizens want on the landscape.  In 2004, DNR contracted a private firm in Virginia to develop a scientific survey to poll Marylanders about their views on black bears and the management of these bears in Maryland.   DNR realized that after several decades of managing this population to allow maximum growth, it was time to start slowing the growth of this population of bears.   

In 2004, after decades of research and conservation efforts, DNR implemented Maryland’s first black bear hunting season in more than 50 years.  A bear hunting season has been offered in western Maryland each year since.  While the bear population in western Maryland is still growing, the hunt has helped DNR slow the growth of the population in Garrett and Allegany counties, working towards a balance between man and nature.  Another goal of this hunt has been to slow the expansion of Maryland’s bear population into areas that are currently unoccupied by bears.  Today, Maryland’s black bear population resides in the four western counties (Garrett, Allegany, Washington, and Frederick).

Although most Maryland bear hunters are new to bear hunting, they have risen to the challenges of the hunt.  Black bears are masters of their environment, making them difficult to hunt.  They often inhabit dense thickets, steep terrain, bogs, and other areas that people tend to shy away from.  They move through these environments with an incomparable caution, paying attention to every detail of their surroundings.  Their senses are legendary especially their sense of smell, which can warn them of a hunter’s presence long before the hunter is in view.  Maryland’s hunters have accepted and successfully faced these and other challenges for the last four years.  The success of Maryland’s bear hunters has compared favorably to hunter success rates throughout the region.  Maryland bear hunters have seen success rates varying from 5.5% to 11% while the average hunter success rate across the region lies between 3% and 5% (Table 1).

Each year, more than 2,000 applicants have applied for a bear hunting permit (Table 1).  Approximately 1 out of every 11 applicants has been selected.  By most standards, these are pretty good odds for obtaining a permit.  In 2004 and 2005, 200 permits were awarded.  In 2006 and 2007 the number of permits was increased to 220.  The decision to increase the number of permits was based on the fact that DNR expanded the hunt area to include all of Garrett and Allegany Counties in 2006 and 2007.  During the first two years, Garrett County and only the western portion of Allegany County (from Evitt’s Creek west) were included in the hunt area. 

Another change that DNR recently made to the way bears are hunted in Maryland was based on the breakdown of the harvest.  In 2004, bear hunting permits were allocated according to land ownership.  Seventy percent of the permits were valid for hunting on private land only and the remaining 30% were valid on both public and private land.  In 2005, DNR scaled that allocation back based on data gathered during the first hunt and conversations with hunters.  In 2005, 60% of the permits were valid only on private land with the remaining 40% valid on public and private land.  The basis for this allocation was made in an effort to focus hunting efforts on private lands, particularly where western Maryland farmers were experiencing substantial losses to their crops due to bears.

After 2 years worth of harvest data was collected, DNR learned that despite having access to a large amount of public hunting ground, the majority of the hunters were seeking out private land to hunt on regardless of the type of permit they had received.  Therefore, the private land allocation was done away with in 2006.  Since then, a bear hunting permit has been valid on both public and private land; however hunters are required to have permission from the landowner to hunt on private property.  Based on information gathered from hunters at the end of the 2006 season, nearly 80% of hunters still chose to hunt on private land.  Accordingly, 32 of the 41 bears harvested in 2006 and 38 of the 51 bears harvested in 2007 were taken on private land.

Maryland’s bear hunting season remains a quota-driven season.  This means that DNR establishes a harvest objective or quota each year.  Once the quota is met, the hunt is closed.  While this type of hunt is new to most Maryland hunters, DNR saw it as an effective way to implement a new hunting season, ensuring that the resource is managed responsibly.  Overall, the hunters have responded positively to this new type of hunting opportunity. 

The 4-year harvest has been distributed across most of Garrett County and western Allegany County.  In total, 152 bears were harvested in Maryland between 2004 and 2007.  The length of the season (before quota was met) has varied from 1 to 4 days.  Figure 2 demonstrates the daily harvest during the 4 seasons.          

In speaking with bear hunters, most of the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.  While bear-hunting methods are limited to still-hunting, stand-hunting, and small drives, the timing of the season provides a high-quality hunting experience.  The October season puts hunters in the woods at a time when bears are very active.  At this time of year, bears are spending several hours during the day feeding in an attempt to gain weight prior to the hibernation period.  In addition to the hunters who have brought bears into the check stations, many unsuccessful hunters have reported passed or missed opportunities.  Several lucky hunters have reported seeing several bears in a day.

Since most Marylanders are new to bear hunting, bear hunters have been required to attend a prehunt meeting prior to heading into the field.  At the meeting, DNR biologists have shared useful information with the hunters to ensure their hunt is a safe, successful, enjoyable experience.  One of the pieces of advice that has been given each year is for hunters to stay in the field and not limit their hunts to the morning and evening hours since bears are actively feeding throughout the day this time of year.  Bear hunters have proven this to be good advice (Fig. 3).

The largest bear taken in Maryland to date was taken in 2007.  It was a massive 615 lb. male black bear taken in Garrett County.  The second largest was a 496 lb. male taken in 2004 in Garrett County.  Also worthy of mention was a 464 lb. male bear taken in 2006.  Several bears over the 300-pound mark have been taken over the last 4 years.  The average weights have been very respectable at 178 lbs. in 2004, 190 lbs. in 2005, 161 lbs. in 2006, and 174 lbs. in.2007. 

While most bears have been harvested with high power rifles, bears have also been taken with muzzleloaders, shotguns with slug ammunition, and archery equipment (including compound bows, traditional archery equipment, and a crossbow).  The most popular rifle caliber has been the .30-06, with several hunters choosing .300 magnums, 7mm magnums, .308, and .270 caliber rifles. 

Bears have been harvested by men, women, girls, and boys in Maryland.  The ages of hunters have ranged from youth hunters to senior citizens more than 80 years old.  The addition of a bear-hunting season in Maryland has given families and friends new, exciting experiences to share and new tales to tell for generations to come.  Thanks to another wildlife success story - the healthy recovery of a population once in peril - families and friends have a new tradition to look forward to in western Maryland. The 2008 bear-hunting season in Garrett and Allegany counties is scheduled to take place October 20 – 25, 2008.  DNR will announce the application details in July 2008.  For more information about Maryland’s bears or bear hunting opportunities, please visit DNR on the web at http://www.dnr.maryland.gov.