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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.)

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