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Pastimes : Bear Stories -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: goldworldnet who wrote (538)	6/2/2006 7:50:32 PM
From: goldworldnet	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6879

State's bear population climbs, DNR says Study shows 44% rise since 2000; expanded hunt zone planned this fall By David Dishneau - The Associated Press Originally published June 2, 2006, 5:15 PM EDT baltimoresun.com HAGERSTOWN // Maryland's black bear population is growing despite a resumption of legal hunting, the state Department of Natural Resources said today. The estimated number of adult and yearling bears in far Western Maryland alone rose 44 percent to 326 in 2005 from 227 in 2000, according to a newly completed study of bear DNA collected in Garrett and western Allegany counties last summer, the agency said. Based on that study and other factors, Paul Peditto, director of the DNR's Wildlife and Heritage Service, estimated the statewide total at 650 bears. He said about 550 are believed to live in Garrett and Allegany, the only counties in which hunting is allowed. Last fall, the agency conservatively estimated the statewide bear population at 514. "The results of this study and the analysis reinforce our commitment to ensuring a sound scientific foundation as the basis for all of our decision-making for black bears in Maryland," Peditto said in a statement. Hunters killed 40 bears in four days last October. Twenty were taken in 2004 during a one-day bear hunt that was the first in Maryland since 1953. This October, the hunt zone will be expanded to include all of Garrett and Allegany counties, including the Green Ridge State Forest in eastern Allegany, which was previously off-limits. The DNR has set a quota of 35 to 55 bears for the Oct. 23-28 hunt. "This year's quota is similar to last year's and is in keeping with our commitment to slowing the growth of the bear population in Maryland while ensuring that bears, people and their environment can coexist peacefully," the DNR press release said. But the number of hunters will rise. The DNR said it will issue 220 permits, up from 200. Each randomly selected permit can be shared by at least two hunters -- three if they hunt on private land -- with one bear allowed per team. * * *