Md. Taking Bear Hunt Applications
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is taking applications for an October black bear hunt.
The agency says it will start taking applications Friday for a lottery to select recipients of 260 permits. The application
deadline is Sept. 2.
State wildlife managers have set a quota of 55 to 80 bears for the season. That's down from last year's quota of 65 to 90.
Biologist Harry Spiker says the lower quota reflects a slowdown in the bear population growth rate.
Hunters killed 67 bears last season.
The hunt October 24-29 will again be limited to Garrett and Allegany counties in far western Maryland.
The agency is conducting a bear population study covering those counties, plus Frederick and Washington counties.
Spiker says results should be available in early 2012.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)