Questions and Answers About MDís Proposed
Black Bear Management Plan Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service
- Who is responsible for managing black bears in Maryland?
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service is charged with managing not only black bears but also all species of wildlife within the state.
- How many bears are found in Maryland?
The bear population size was last estimated in 2005. An extensive DNA study completed at that time estimated 242 - 482 adult and subadult bears throughout the study area (Garrett and Allegany counties). This reveals an increase in the population over the previous population estimate. Population increases have also been noted in our neighboring states of Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
Maryland has a resident black bear population in Garrett, Allegany, Washington, and Frederick Counties. The highest population density occurs in Garrett County, with bear numbers on the rise in the remaining areas. Marylandís black bear population is part of a much larger, regional population that is shared with our neighboring states of VA, WV, and PA. Todayís excellent habitat conditions and conservation efforts throughout the region have resulted in a thriving black bear population.
- Did Maryland stock bears to establish a bear population?
No. Maryland has never stocked bears in an effort to establish a bear population. Early black bear management once involved trapping and relocating nuisance bears from one area to another within western Maryland.
- Why is the DNR proposing a limited hunting season?
A limited hunting season is being proposed to slow the bear populationís rate of growth and minimize bear conflicts. Our agency is responsible for the sound management of all species, and hunting has long played a fundamental role in the conservation and management of those species, including bears.
- Does the DNR trap and relocate problem bears?
Black Bears are a part of the natural ecosystem of Maryland. Many of our past bear problems are mitigated through our extensive public education program. The Wildlife and Heritage Service does not routinely trap and relocate nuisance bears. Recent research has indicated that trapping and relocating nuisance bears may not be as effective as once believed. Relocated bears have been shown to repeat nuisance behavior in new areas, have returned great distances to their original range, and have suffered higher mortality rates due to their increased movements in introduced territories. In areas where people have taken every measure to discourage bears, and the problem persists, the Wildlife and Heritage Service may trap and aversively condition individual nuisance bears or euthanize a trapped bear that continues to repeat dangerous behavior.
- What other methods of controlling the population has the DNR used?
DNR has euthanized a few individual bears for serious, chronic nuisance activity (e.g. threat to public safety or livestock). Likewise, some Maryland citizens, under current law, have killed individual bears that they feared were attacking their pets, family or livestock. Landscape level population control can only be achieved through the direct removal of bears, and regulated hunting remains the most effective method for reducing overall bear numbers. However, itís important to note that no game species, including bears, has ever been extirpated (eliminated) from Maryland by a regulated hunting program.
- What about sterilization? Canít you just give the bears something to make them stop reproducing?
Unfortunately, while we do support the development of new technology to broaden the suite of options available to us in managing Marylandís wildlife, the technology for sterilizing wild, free-roaming big game, including bears, is still in the development stage. Research is occurring in Maryland on sterilization technology for application to confined deer herds.
- Will the DNR continue to control and manage nuisance bear activities?
Yes. DNR has a suite of nuisance management tools that have been implemented over the years, including the implementation of exclusion devices, public education programs, and various forms of aversive conditioning techniques. Aversive conditioning is a tool used by DNR to change bear behavior. It provides negative feedback to problem bears without killing the bear. The unpleasant experience will discourage individual bears from repeating undesirable behavior. Aversive conditioning may include one or more of the following actions applied by trained DNR officials: a chemical irritant (capsaicin spray) applied at close range to the face of the bear; the use of noise making pyrotechnics (screamers, explosive scare shells, rockets) fired in the direction of the bear; and, non-lethal rubber projectiles fired from a shotgun at the rump or shoulder of the bear.
- What has the DNR done to resolve bear/human conflicts?
The DNR has a very proactive public education campaign to teach residents and visitors of the state how to "Live with Black Bears.Ē This includes educating landowners, school groups, local governments, communities and visitors on how to co-exist with black bears. This education campaign includes public displays, lectures, workshops, and education materials for the home and classroom.
- What will happen if we donít use lethal control?
Bear populations will continue to increase throughout western Maryland and expand into the central part of the state. As the population grows, we expect a continuing increase in nuisance complaints and vehicle strikes. We also expect an erosion of public tolerance for bears, which may result in increased illegal killing of bears and an overall loss of support for having this great creature as part of Marylandís ecological landscape.
- Where is the hunt area?
The hunt area is all of Garrett and Allegany counties. This area currently has the largest density of bears in the state.
- Are we trying to get rid of bears?
No. We are trying to slow the growth of the bear population in the hunted area. We have a desired harvest objective, and the hunt will be stopped when that objective is reached.
- What will happen to the population if we hunt bears?
If the desired harvest objectives are reached, we expect the rate of growth in the bear population to decrease over time, but never to the point of eliminating bears from Maryland.
- How are hunters selected?
Interested hunters must submit an application for the bear hunt. A random drawing from the applicant pool determines the hunter base. All hunters are required to meet the requirements for hunter safety and firearms education required in Maryland law.
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Last updated on February 18, 2004