Nearly A Dozen Marylanders Cited For Black Bear Hunting Violations

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Nearly a dozen Marylanders were cited recently for violations during the state's annual black bear hunt, held last month in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett and Washington counties.

According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 11 people were cited for one or more violations, including hunting without a license or without a black bear permit, illegally targeting bears over bait, and hunting with rifles while prohibited from possessing firearms.

The violations could cost the offenders thousands in fines, state officials said.

Maryland’s black bear hunt took place from Oct. 20-25. To participate, the state selected 1,050 hunters by lottery to hunt bears on public or private lands. Hunters must comply with all Maryland conservation laws, which are strictly enforced by patrols throughout the season.

While baiting for white-tailed deer on private property is legal in Maryland, baiting bears is prohibited and is tightly controlled during the annual weeklong hunt. Hunters who violate the baiting law for black bears can face up to $1,500 for a first offense and up to $4,000 for a second offense.

The following people were cited during this year's hunt, according to officials:

1. On Oct. 20, a 37-year-old man from Sabillasville was found illegally hunting over bait on private property in Washington County.

Authorities observed the man hunting with a rifle about 30 yards from a site baited with a corn feeder, pumpkins, soybeans, apples and baked confectionery goods. One citation was issued for hunting black bears with the aid of bait, punishable by a maximum fine of $1,500.

2. On Oct. 20, a 39-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman, both of Taneytown, were found illegally hunting over bait on private property in Allegany County.

Authorities observed both individuals hunting inside a box blind in proximity to separate sites that were baited with corn, bread and wafer candies. The baited locations ranged from 40 to 80 yards from the blind, where both individuals were found hunting. Both were issued one citation each for hunting black bears with the aid of bait. Each can face a maximum fine of $1,500 if convicted.

3. On Oct. 20, a 61-year-old Middle River man was found illegally hunting black bear both without a permit and over bait on private property in Allegany County.

Authorities observed the man hunting from a tree stand armed with a crossbow and a hunting revolver (barrel length greater than six inches) approximately 10 yards from a baited site containing fresh red apples, a sugary mixture smeared on a log and a bucket of whole kernel corn. The man told officers that he was hunting deer; however, he was issued citations for hunting bear without a permit, hunting black bears over bait, possession of firearms while bowhunting for deer, and failure to wear fluorescent orange.

If convicted on all four charges, the man could face a maximum of $6,000 in total fines.

4. On Oct. 20, a 66-year-old man from Smithsburg was found illegally hunting over bait on private property in Frederick County.

Authorities observed the man hunting from a ladder stand approximately 20 yards from where a game feeder had previously hung, while remnants of corn kernels were still present and had not been removed within the required 10 days necessary to hunt black bears. The man was issued one citation for attempting to hunt black bears with the aid of bait, punishable by a maximum fine of $1,500 if convicted.

5. On Oct. 21, a 36-year-old male and a 58-year-old male, both of Frederick, were cited for bear hunting with rifles while prohibited from owning firearms after being discovered by police on public land in Washington County.

Authorities on routine patrol observed two individuals returning to their parked vehicle within Indian Springs Wildlife Management Area, which is managed by the Department of Natural Resources. While legally licensed to hunt bears in Maryland, both individuals were found to have prior convictions that disqualified them from possessing firearms. Both rifles were confiscated and charges were issued to each for possession of firearms while disqualified and illegal possession of ammunition.

If convicted on both charges, the individuals could face up to four years imprisonment and $4,000 in fines.

6. On Oct. 23, a 38-year-old man from Hagerstown was found illegally hunting over bait on private property near Indian Springs Wildlife Management Area in Washington County.

Authorities observed the man, who was not wearing orange, carrying a loaded rifle while pulling a sled with two empty bags of apple-corn and two large jugs partially full of molasses near an area already baited with apples. The man was issued one citation for attempting to hunt black bears with the aid of bait and another for not wearing fluorescent orange, each charge punishable by a maximum fine of $1,500 if convicted.

7. On Oct. 24, a 20-year-old man from Orchard Beach was found illegally hunting over bait on private property in Frederick County.

Authorities made contact with two individuals leaving the baited property, one of whom admitted to hunting for bear over a location baited with corn, and the other who was legally pursuing deer. Officers inspected the ladder stand from which the man was hunting and found corn kernels and signs of recent game foraging about 40 yards from the stand. While the man was hunting with a valid bear permit, he did not possess an active 2025 hunting license and was cited for hunting black bears over bait and failure to obtain a hunting license, punishable by a maximum of $3,000 in fines if convicted on both charges.

8. On Oct. 24, a 28-year-old Essex man and a 66-year-old man from Westminster were found illegally hunting over bait on private property in Allegany County.

Authorities observed the two individuals hunting from a box blind approximately 40 yards from a bait pile where corn, apples, and a mineral liquid were found. Citations were then issued to both men for hunting black bear with the aid of bait, and they could face up to $1,500 in fines if convicted.

DNR spokesperson Hunter Dortenzo told The Baltimore Banner that there were 4,410 black bear hunt lottery participants this year, but only 1,050 permits were issued.

Maryland has a breeding population of over 2,000 adult and juvenile black bears, Dortenzo said, mostly confined to Allegany, Frederick, Garrett and Washington counties.

According to the state, Maryland hunters harvested 89 black bears during this year's hunt. The 2025 harvest was slightly lower than the 5-year average of 100 bears per year.

The hunt is held as part of an overall strategy to manage Maryland’s bear population. The Wildlife and Heritage Service uses regulated hunting to reduce the growth of the population and provide relief to human-bear conflicts.

Due to several decades of habitat recovery and regional conservation programs, Maryland is now home to a healthy population of bears with the breeding population, according to the state.