Michael A. Sawyers
Cumberland Times-News
—
If you are a Maryland hunter and have not yet applied for a bear permit, I encourage you to do so.
I drew one a year ago and the hunt that sprung from that permit turned out to be the woodland experience of a lifetime.
Friends have asked me how I compare that successful bear hunt with other trigger-and-drag experiences I have had.
There is no comparison.
The bear hunt goes on its own pedestal and all the other hunts go on another to battle each other for recognition. In that secondary bowl are my first whitetail buck, my first mule deer buck, numerous spring gobblers and the various deer that my son, Ryan, tagged while we hunted together.
I really did not know how I would react to killing a bear. Ten months have passed since that hunt and I become more proud and satisfied with my success in bagging a bear in a totally fair-chase setting.
Having watched the battle that took place between the Maryland Wildlife & Heritage Service and those who did not want a hunt, I find it very rewarding that I was able to check in the 265th legal black bear taken in Maryland since the hunt resumed in 2004 after more than 50 years of moratorium.
Enough about me.
I tell you these things because I believe you will find hunting for a Maryland bear a fascinating thing to do, whether you get one or not.
Is it difficult to draw a permit? Yes.
A year ago more than 3,000 people competed for the 240 permits.
This year there are 260 permission slips to be given out.
There will be folks in this year’s drawing who have four chances to get a permit, three of those being bonus opportunities from the past three unsuccessful lotteries.
Once you draw a permit, is it difficult to find and kill a bear? Yes, although I am sure it is easier for some hunters than for others.
The 240 permits last year accounted for 68 bears in four days before the agency closed the store.
You have until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday to apply online. It’ll cost you $15. Go to http://blackbear.dnr.state.md.us and you will be guided through the process.
Once you draw your permit, you need to start preparing for success. The biggest concern is getting the bear out of the woods. The next considerations that loom are what to do with the meat and the hide.
The answers are easy. Put on the speed dial of your cell phone the numbers of a bunch of good friends for bear removal and the numbers of your taxidermist and butcher.
If you cut up your own bear meat, as I did, that will eliminate one call.
The meat from the bear I got on Dan’s Mountain was the most tender and flavorful game I have chewed.
Keep this in mind. There are a lot of bears in Garrett and Allegany counties. If you are lucky enough to get the permit, you can get lucky enough to get the bear.
If you get the chance to do the hunt, I suggest you make a pledge to yourself to spend every huntable minute in the woods until you either score or the DNR shuts down the season. The harvest quota this year is 65 to 90 bears.
The season has been as short at one day, but never any longer than four.
The 2010 hunt takes place Oct. 25-30. Good luck.
Contact Outdoor Editor Mike Sawyers at msawyers@times-news.com.
