Black Bear Hunt Concludes in Western Maryland

Results Indicate 131 Bears Harvested

Autumn Color by Steve Oliver

Unpredictable weather conditions in “Mountain Maryland” didn’t hamper hunters from enjoying time afield this week during the state’s 2017 Black Bear Hunting Season.

Results of the 14th annual hunt reveal that 131 hunters successfully harvested a bruin over the four-day hunt in western Maryland despite battling heavy rains, reduced daylight and dropping temperatures.

“We are thrilled with another successful bear hunt and view it as further evidence that the department is managing the state’s black bear population effectively,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto said. “With such an expanding and healthy bear population throughout western Maryland, this hunt is an essential management tool.”

For just the second year, hunters were allowed to harvest bears in all four western counties: Allegany, Frederick, Garrett and Washington.

Statistics from the 2017 Maryland Black Bear Hunt:

• 131 black bears harvested
  • 23 from Allegany County
  • 2 from Frederick County
  • 104 from Garrett County
  • 2 from Washington County
• 152 pounds average weight of the bears
• 69 percent of bears taken on private land
• 5,453 hunters applied for a permit
  • 1,683 hunters participated