OAKLAND, Md. (AP) - Natural resources officials say they will issue 450 bear hunting permits for this year's season.
Harry Spiker of the Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service tells The Times-News of Cumberlandthat 380 permits were issued for last year's hunt. More than 3,500 hunters applied for those permits.
This year's hunt is set for Oct. 20-23. It takes place only in Garrett and Allegany counties.
When bear hunting was permitted starting in 2004 after a 50-year absence, the agency set a quota and ended the hunt when that quota was reached. This year, Spiker says, the hunt will go the full four days.
In 2013, 94 bears harvested.
