Maryland Black Bear Lottery Now Open
OutdoorHub 07.06.11
Annapolis, Md. – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting applications for this year’s lottery for black bear hunting permits. Successful applicants will receive a permit valid for the black bear hunting season scheduled to take place October 24-29.
“The black bear is Maryland’s largest game animal and is a very exciting and challenging species to hunt,” said Harry Spiker, DNR’s game mammal section leader. “Maryland’s bear population continues to increase in the hunting area, particularly in Allegany County. Our growing bear population will offer hunters a great opportunity to be successful.”
DNR will issue 260 bear hunting permits with a quota of 55-80 bears and will close the hunt when the quota is reached. The opportunity to hunt black bears in Maryland remains limited to Garrett and Allegany counties.
Online applications for the Maryland Black Bear Lottery will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 2 at http://blackbear.dnr.state.md.us. Phone applications will be accepted at 1-888-579-6768 between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on August 22-26 ONLY.
To apply, a $15 nonrefundable application fee must be submitted via credit card, check or money order. All payments must be received by 12 p.m. on September 5. Checks and money orders 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 forfeiture of all fees. The lottery will be conducted Monday, September 5, 2011. Applicants will be given an Application ID number at the end of the application process and they may check their number at http://blackbear.dnr.state.md.us after 5 p.m. to see if they were drawn in the lottery.
Applicants will again have the option of voluntarily contributing to the Black Bear Damage Reimbursement Fund when they apply for a permit. Donated funds 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. Last year, hunters voluntarily donated $1,820 to the fund.
For more information, please visit: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/BlackBearGuide.asp
Follow @MDBlackBear on Twitter.
Contact:
Josh Davidsburg
410-260-8002 office I 410-507-7526 cell
jdavidsburg@dnr.state.md.us
