Outdoors: BLACK BEAR LOTTERY

By CHRIS D. DOLLAR, For The Capital
Capital Gazette Communications Published 06/26/11

BLACK BEAR LOTTERY: Maryland Black Bear Lottery Opens July 1. Entering its eighth year, Maryland's black bear hunting season is scheduled for Oct. 24-29. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will accept applications for this year's lottery for hunting permits beginning July 1. DNR will issue 260 bear hunting permits with a quota of 55-80 bears and will close the hunt when the quota is reached.

In a DNR press release, big game biologist Harry Spiker said the black bear population growth rate has slowed in Garrett County since the hunting season was established in 2004, but continues to increase in Allegany County and in areas east.

This year's lottery will follow the same model-the Preference Point System-established in 2007 but the application period has been extended by a month. Under the system, hunters who apply receive one entry in the random drawing as well as one additional entry for each consecutive year they have applied. For example, those hunters who applied unsuccessfully in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 will receive five entries in the drawing when they apply this year.

Online applications for the Maryland Black Bear Lottery will be accepted from 9 a.m. on July 1 until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2. Phone applications will be accepted at 1-888-579-6768 between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 22-26 only. Send a $15 non-refundable application fee (credit card, check, or money order) to MDDNR Black Bear, P.O. Box 360, Frostburg, MD 21532. All payments must be received by 12:00 p.m. on Monday. Checks and money orders should be made payable to MDDNR Black Bear.

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