Black Bear Hunt Lottery Winners Selected for 2026 Season

Photo by Bob Geary, submitted to the 2018 Maryland Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has drawn the winning lottery entries for the 2026 Maryland Black Bear Hunt. 

Lottery entrants were randomly selected to receive permits valid for Maryland’s six-day bear hunting season open from October 26-31, 2026, in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. Entrants can check the lottery results section of DNR’s black bear hunt webpage for their DNR ID number.

A total of 1,050 entries were selected between the two black bear hunt zones, including 950 for Black Bear Hunt Zone 1, and 100 for Black Bear Hunt Zone 2.

A total of 4,820 hunters applied for the lottery. Of the permits awarded, 52% went to Western Maryland residents, 38% to residents from other parts of Maryland, and 10% to non-residents.

New this year, accumulated preference points do not expire even if the hunter did not enter this year’s lottery or purchase an additional preference point. 

“Maryland’s black bear hunt is a vital part of our efforts to responsibly manage the state’s black bear population, while providing hunters with a unique opportunity to play an important role in that management,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer said. “Congratulations to this year’s successful applicants. We wish everyone a safe, successful, and memorable 23rd annual black bear hunting season.”

Successful applicants will receive an email or letter with instructions on how to complete the permitting process. Permittees may designate up to two sub-permittees prior to the hunt, and each hunting party may harvest one bear under the permit.

Any successful applicant who has not received a notification by Sept. 17, 2026, should email [email protected] or call 301-334-4255 for assistance.