Maryland hunters had a successful black bear hunt during the 2024 season, with a total of 125 bears harvested in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. The harvest was higher than the previous 5-year average of 104 bears, with a mix of male and female bears taken. The largest bear weighed in at 650 pounds and was harvested in Frederick County. An additional 16 bears were also harvested by farmers with agricultural damage permits.
The hunt, which took place from October 21-26, saw consistent daily harvests despite warm temperatures early in the week. Hunters attributed their success to locating areas abundant in nuts and acorns, such as hickory or white oak stands. The state’s bear hunting season is an important part of managing human-bear conflicts in Maryland, according to Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer.
The average weight of bears taken was 169 pounds, with 70% harvested on private land. A total of 4,507 hunters applied for permits, with 950 permits ultimately awarded. More information about black bear management in Maryland can be found on the Department of Natural Resources’ website.
Overall, the 2024 black bear hunt in Maryland was deemed a success, with hunters enjoying a week of pursuing one of the state’s most elusive game species in the mountains of western Maryland. The hunt serves as a crucial strategy in managing the expanding black bear population and mitigating conflicts between bears and humans.
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Photo credit news.maryland.gov