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Record number apply to hunt bear

September 1st, 2015 by WCBC Radio

The Cumberland TImes News reports a record number of hunters — 4,307 — applied for the 500 Maryland bear hunting permits that will allow for the taking of bruins during the Oct. 26-29 season in Garrett and Allegany counties. The previous high number of applicants was 4,027 in 2012, when 340 permits were available.

Each application was accompanied by a $15 nonrefundable fee, bringing $64,605 to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for wildlife management.

The drawing to award the permits will take place Sept. 4 with DNR ID numbers of winners to be made public online no later than Sept. 8.

The first 125 permits will be given to applicants who reside in the bear hunting counties. All undrawn applicants will then compete for the remaining 375 permits.

In 2007, the Maryland Wildlife & Heritage Service began awarding a preference point to unsuccessful applicants as long as they continued to apply annually. Thus, some hunters have their names in the drawing as many as nine times for this year’s lottery.

From 2004 through 2013, the season’s harvest quota was established and bear hunters had to call each night to determine if the hunt would continue the next day.

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