MARYLAND ( DC News Now ) — Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) charged nine men for illegally hunting over baited areas during Maryland’s annual black bear hunt this year.
NRP officials said that the black bear hunt was held from Oct. 21 to 26 in Allegany, Frederick, Garret and Washington counties. 950 hunters are selected by lottery to take part in the hunt and can hunt on either public or private lands.
During this hunt, hunters are not allowed to use bait to attract bears. This is allowed for white-tailed deer on private property.
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“Due to the nature of the hunt, targeting bears must take place 150 yards or more from a baited location, and if hunting a location previously baited for deer, 10 days must pass after all bait has been removed. Hunters that 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,” an NRP release said.