Record Number of Black Bears Harvested During 2015 Maryland Hunt

95 Bears Exceeds 2013 Record

Ronald Oberender of Toddville harvested the largest bear of the season.

The 2015 Maryland Black Bear Hunting Season came to a close on Oct. 29, with a record 95 bears harvested and reported into mandatory check-in stations across Garrett and Allegany counties. The harvest total is one more than the previous record of 94 set in 2013. Ronald Oberender of Toddville took the largest bear of the season, a 520-pound male.

“The record success of the bear hunt shows that we are effectively managing the black bear population,” Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto said. “With such a healthy bear population throughout Western Maryland, this hunt is an essential tool used to slow the growth of the bear population. Congratulations to all the hunters.”

This is the second year the hunt was carried out as a four-day season without a predetermined quota.

Stats from the 2015 Maryland Black Bear Hunt:

• 95 bears harvested
  • 80 from Garrett County
  • 15 from Allegany County
• 166 pounds average weight of the bears
• 61 percent of the bears were taken on private land
• 4,300+ hunters applied for a hunting permit
  • 1,173 hunters participated in the hunt