Md. Code Regs. 08.03.04.20 - Black Bear Hunting
A. In this regulation,
the following terms have the meanings indicated.
B. Terms Defined.
(1) "Annual mortality rate" means the estimated
percent of the black bear population in the hunted area that is known to have died
as a result of natural death, accidents, hunting, or other causes.
(2) "Hunted area" means Allegany County, Frederick
County, Garrett County, and Washington County.
(3) "Known mortality rate" means the estimated
percent of the black bear population in the hunted area that is known to have died
as a result of natural death, accidents, or other nonhunting related
causes.
(4) "Permittee" means a person
who has been issued a permit to hunt black bears by the Service.
(5) "Subpermittee" means a person designated by
the permittee to participate with the permittee in hunting black bears.
(6) "Targeted harvest rate" means the difference
between the Department's goal for the annual mortality rate and the known mortality
rate.
C. A person may hunt
black bears in accordance with COMAR
08.03.03.03F after
meeting the conditions listed in §§D-N of this regulation.
D. Permit Required.
(1) A person may not hunt or participate in a hunt
for black bears in Maryland without having first obtained a black bear hunting
permit from the Service.
(2) A person
that assists with the removal of a dead bear or escorts hunters into or out of a
bear hunting area:
(a) Is not required to possess
a bear hunting permit; and
(b) Shall be
unarmed.
E. A
subpermittee may continue to hunt black bears when the permittee is not hunting
black bears.
F. Targeted Harvest Rate.
(1) Prior to the beginning of a hunting season,
the Service will determine the targeted harvest rate for the season.
(2) The Service will issue the number of permits
estimated to be required to meet the targeted harvest rate for the season.
(3) At the discretion of the Director, the Service
shall either close the season upon a determination that the targeted harvest rate
has been reached or establish an appropriate season length estimated to achieve the
targeted harvest rate.
G. The
use of dogs to hunt black bears is prohibited, except as provided in Regulation .19
of this chapter.
H. The use of scent
attractants or electronic calls is prohibited for black bear hunting.
I. Any person killing a black bear shall attach
the black bear field tag to the carcass of the black bear before removing the
carcass from the place of the kill.
J.
Proof of sex shall remain attached to all field-dressed bear carcasses.
K. A black bear may be quartered or separated into
pieces to facilitate retrieval. However, the head and hide shall remain attached to
each other and proof of sex shall remain attached to one hindquarter.
L. Except as provided in §M of this
regulation, a person killing a black bear shall report to an official designated
black bear checking station with the entire carcass of the black bear by 8 p.m. of
the day of kill. At this time, the tag previously attached on the carcass shall be
exchanged for an official black bear possession tag provided by the Service and
securely attached to the carcass.
M. If
a person kills a bear and cannot reach a designated black bear checking station by 8
p.m. of the day of kill, the person shall contact the appropriate Service office by
8 p.m. on the day of the kill to report the kill. The person shall then have 24
hours to report with the black bear carcass to a designated black bear checking
station.
N. All successful black bear
hunters shall forfeit any biological data or specimens that the Service considers
necessary to properly manage this species.
O. Any violation of the terms and conditions of
the black bear hunting permit is a violation of this regulation.
Notes
Regulation .20B, D amended effective July 17, 2006(33:14 Md. R. 1162)
Regulation .20B, E amended effective 41:15 Md. R. 889, eff.
Regulation .20F amended effective July 17, 2008 (35:14 Md. R. 1245); amended effective 43:16 Md. R. 899, eff.
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