ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Hunters in western Maryland just completed the state’s most successful bear season ever. Hunters killed 95 bears during the four day season which is confined to the state’s two westernmost counties, Allegany and Garrett along the West Virginia border.
“The record success of the bear hunt shows that we are effectively managing the black bear population,” Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto said in a press release about the season. “With such a healthy bear population throughout Western Maryland, this hunt is an essential tool used to slow the growth of the bear population. Congratulations to all the hunters.”
The season’s harvest topped the old record by one, 94, which was set in 2013. It was the second straight year Maryland has held a four day season without a predetermined quota.
The harvest included 80 bears from Garrett County and 15 bears in Allegany County. The average weight of the bears was 166 pounds and 61 percent were killed on private land. Maryland Division of Natural Resources reports more than 4,300 hunters applied for bear hunting permits and 1,173 participated in the hunt.
Ronald Oberender of Toddville, Md. killed the largest bear of the season, a 520 pound male.