{"id":32086,"date":"2020-11-04T10:14:05","date_gmt":"2020-11-04T15:14:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/?p=32086"},"modified":"2020-11-04T13:17:27","modified_gmt":"2020-11-04T18:17:27","slug":"black-bear-hunt-2020-concludes-in-western-maryland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/2020\/11\/04\/black-bear-hunt-2020-concludes-in-western-maryland\/","title":{"rendered":"Black Bear Hunt 2020 Concludes in Western Maryland"},"content":{"rendered":"

117 Bears Harvested in Four Counties<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"Photo

Photo by Bob Geary<\/p><\/div>\n

Hunters harvested 117 black bears despite challenging conditions during Maryland\u2019s 17th annual black bear hunt. Official results have been compiled and reported by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources<\/a> following the five-day hunt held Oct. 26-30 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties.<\/span><\/p>\n

The largest bear taken weighed 537 pounds and was harvested in Frederick County by Wayne <\/span>Harley of Taneytown. The average weight of harvested bears was 155 pounds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Natural food shortages in the mountains of Western Maryland coupled with wet, windy weather conditions contributed to the challenges faced by bear hunters this year.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are pleased with another successful bear hunt and view it as further evidence the department is managing the state\u2019s black bear population sustainably and effectively,\u201d Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto said. \u201cWith such an expanding and healthy bear population throughout western Maryland, this hunt is an essential management tool.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

2020 Maryland Black Bear Hunt by the Numbers:<\/b><\/p>\n