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

Md. Code Regs. 08.03.04.20

Regulation .20 adopted effective September 27, 2004 (31:19 Md. R. 1430)
Regulation .20B, D amended effective July 17, 2006(33:14 Md. R. 1162)
Regulation .20B, E amended effective 41:15 Md. R. 889, eff.8/4/2014
Regulation .20F amended effective July 17, 2008 (35:14 Md. R. 1245); amended effective 43:16 Md. R. 899, eff. 8/15/2016