167 bears killed, including three in Frederick County.
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) – Maryland’s black bear hunt is a record-breaker.
The Department of Natural Resources said Friday that hunters killed 167 bears during the four-day season that ended Thursday.
Last year’s tally of 95 had been the highest since Maryland ended a 51-year moratorium on bear hunting in 2004.
The agency increased the number of permits this year by 50 percent to 750. It also expanded the hunt to Washington and Frederick counties. Hunting was previously restricted to Allegany and Garrett counties.
The DNR says 126 bears were taken in Garrett County. Thirty were killed in Allegany, eight in Washington and just three in Frederick County.
Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto says Maryland’s bear population is healthy and growing. It was estimated at more than 1,000 in 2011.
By The Associated Press