Understanding The Maryland Black Bear Hunt Lottery

CALIFORNIA, Md. — The Maryland black bear hunt lottery is a topic that often draws interest from hunters, hikers, campers and anyone who spends time outdoors. While only a portion of the state has a well-established black bear population, residents across Maryland may encounter bears while visiting parks, forests and mountain communities.

Understanding where black bears live, how the lottery system generally works and how to respond during an encounter can help people enjoy the outdoors safely. Whether you are planning a hiking trip in Western Maryland or simply want to learn more about one of the state’s largest native mammals, knowing the basics can make a difference.

Where Black Bears Live In Maryland

Black bears are most commonly found in the forested mountains of Western Maryland. Large, connected woodlands provide food, shelter and space for bears to travel. Breeding populations remain concentrated in the state’s four westernmost counties — Garrett, Allegany, Washington and Frederick — according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which puts the state’s population at more than 2,000 adult and subadult bears.

Although bears are concentrated in the western part of the state, younger animals can travel long distances while searching for new territory, and DNR says it receives bear sightings and complaints from central and southern counties every year, particularly in spring as young male bears look to establish territory of their own. A bear spotted in another region does not necessarily mean a permanent population has become established there.

For Maryland residents from Southern Maryland, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore or the Washington area, the most likely bear encounters happen while traveling to mountain parks, state forests or other outdoor destinations in the western counties.

How The Maryland Black Bear Hunt Lottery Works

Maryland manages its regulated black bear hunting opportunity through a lottery system rather than allowing unlimited participation. The lottery is designed to limit the number of hunters who receive permits while supporting responsible wildlife management, and DNR says the hunt is a tool for reducing conflicts between bears and people, including vehicle collisions and property damage.

For the 2026 season, the application window runs from July 15 through August 31, with the six-day hunting season set for October 26–31 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett and Washington counties, according to DNR. The department plans to issue 950 permits through the primary lottery and an additional 100 through a secondary lottery limited to Frederick and Washington counties, for a total of 1,050 permits statewide this year. Applicants who are not selected receive a preference point for each year they enter without being drawn, and DNR notes that, new for 2026, those preference points no longer expire if a hunter skips a year of entering or purchasing a point.

Hunters can check whether they were selected on DNR’s black bear hunt website starting September 3. Lottery entries and preference points can be purchased through the MD Outdoors licensing website, at a license agent, or by calling 866-344-8889, and questions about the application process can be directed to blackbear.dnr@maryland.gov, per DNR.

Requirements, application periods, eligibility rules and permit conditions can change over time. Anyone interested in applying should review the current information provided by Maryland wildlife officials before submitting an application.

Hunters should also remember that all applicable licensing requirements, safety rules and reporting obligations remain important parts of participating in a regulated hunt.

Why Black Bear Management Matters

Black bears are an important part of Maryland’s wildlife heritage. Wildlife managers seek to balance conservation with public safety and recreational opportunities.

Between 2011 and 2021, black bears caused a yearly average of more than 480 nuisance calls and about $18,700 in agricultural damage in Maryland, and roughly 60 bears are killed each year in vehicle strikes, according to DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service, which oversees the state’s Black Bear Management Plan. As bear populations grow or expand into new areas, agencies may use a variety of management tools. Public education, research, habitat protection and regulated hunting can all play a role in managing wildlife while reducing conflicts between bears and people.

Residents also play an important role by reducing access to human food sources. Bears that repeatedly find food around homes or campsites are more likely to return, increasing the chance of conflicts. “Once a black bear finds an easy meal, they are likely to be repeat visitors,” DNR Game Mammal Section Leader Jonathan Trudeau has said.

Bear Safety For Hikers And Campers

Most black bears avoid people whenever possible. Even so, anyone exploring Maryland’s parks and forests should be prepared for a possible encounter.

If you see a bear at a distance, give it plenty of space and avoid approaching for photographs. Allow the animal a clear path to leave the area.

If a bear notices you, remain calm. Speak in a normal voice, slowly back away and avoid running. Running may trigger a chase response in many wild animals. Giving the bear room to move away is usually the safest course. DNR points residents and visitors to BearWise.org, a national bear-safety education program, for additional guidance on recreating in bear country.

Living In Bear Country

People who own property near forested areas can take steps to discourage bears from visiting.

DNR recommends removing backyard bird feeders from April through November, since birds have plenty of natural food sources during that period, and locking garbage in a bear-proof trash bin or storing containers in a locked garage or shed until the morning of pickup, according to the department’s guidance. Rinsing out trash containers with ammonia can help eliminate odors that attract bears. DNR also advises storing pet food indoors, avoiding leaving food bowls unattended outside, and keeping cooking grills clean of food residue or stored indoors.

Fruit that falls from trees should be picked up promptly when practical, and residents should avoid leaving coolers or food unattended outdoors.

These common-sense precautions help protect both people and wildlife by encouraging bears to continue relying on natural food sources.

A Balanced Approach To Enjoying Maryland’s Wildlife

The Maryland black bear hunt lottery represents one part of the state’s broader approach to wildlife management. At the same time, education and responsible outdoor behavior help reduce unnecessary encounters between people and bears.

Whether you are applying for a hunting opportunity, hiking in the mountains or planning a camping trip with family, understanding bear behavior and respecting wildlife can help everyone enjoy Maryland’s natural resources. As black bears remain an important part of the state’s landscape, informed visitors and residents can help support safe recreation and long-term conservation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are black bears most commonly found in Maryland? Black bears are most commonly found in the forested mountains of Western Maryland, with breeding populations concentrated in Garrett, Allegany, Washington and Frederick counties, though individual bears may occasionally travel to other parts of the state.

How does the Maryland black bear hunt lottery work? Interested hunters submit an application during the state’s designated application period. For 2026, that window runs July 15 through August 31, with results posted September 3. Successful applicants are selected through a lottery and must follow all current regulations and permit requirements.

How many bear hunting permits does Maryland issue? For the 2026 season, DNR plans to issue 950 permits through the primary lottery and 100 more through a secondary lottery limited to Frederick and Washington counties.

What should I do if I see a black bear while hiking? Stay calm, keep your distance, speak in a normal voice and slowly back away while giving the bear room to leave. Do not run or approach the animal.

How can homeowners reduce bear visits? Secure garbage in bear-proof containers, remove bird feeders from April through November, store pet food indoors, keep grills clean and avoid intentionally feeding bears.

Related Articles From The BayNet

• Maryland’s Black Bear Hunt Lottery Is Now Open—Here’s How To Apply
• Maryland Black Bears: What To Do If You See One
• Black Bear Spotted In St. Mary’s County; Officials Urge Caution
• Black Bear Spotted Near Charles County Fairgrounds [VIDEO]
• DNR Warns Maryland Black Bears Emerging From Winter Dens In Search Of Food; Here’s How To Prepare

Sources

• Maryland Department of Natural Resources, “Maryland Black Bear Hunt Lottery Applications Open for 2026 Season”: https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2026/07/15/maryland-black-bear-hunt-lottery-applications-open-for-2026-season/
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources, “Black Bear Management in Maryland”: https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/pages/hunt_trap/blackbear.aspx
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources, “Black Bear Country”: https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/western/black-bear-country.aspx
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources, “Black Bears Emerging from Winter Dens in Search of Food; Marylanders Advised to Remove Backyard Bear Attractants”: https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2026/04/06/black-bears-emerging-from-winter-dens-in-search-of-food-marylanders-advised-to-remove-backyard-bear-attractants/
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources, “As Maryland’s Black Bears Emerge from Winter Dens, Residents and Visitors Can Help Keep Them Wild”: https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2025/04/10/as-marylands-black-bears-emerge-from-winter-dens-residents-and-visitors-can-help-keep-them-wild/

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META DESCRIPTION: Learn how the Maryland black bear hunt lottery works, where bears live and practical safety tips for outdoor recreation across the state. KEYWORDS: Maryland black bear hunt lottery, Maryland black bears, bear safety Maryland, Maryland hunting lottery, Western Maryland wildlife, outdoor recreation Maryland, DNR black bear permits

FACEBOOK POST: Planning a trip to Western Maryland or curious about the Maryland black bear hunt lottery? Our guide explains where bears live, how the 2026 lottery works — including application dates and permit numbers — and simple safety tips for hikers, campers and homeowners.

NEWSLETTER TEASER: Black bears are a familiar part of Western Maryland’s landscape, and knowing what to expect can make every outdoor trip safer. Read our guide to the Maryland black bear hunt lottery, bear country and practical safety advice, including this year’s application deadlines.

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