Maryland May Expand Bear Hunt To 2 More Counties

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources says it's considering expanding the annual black bear hunt to Frederick and Washington counties.

The proposal is among a number of potential changes the agency released Tuesday for the 2016-18 hunting seasons. The concepts will be discussed at a Feb. 3 meeting of department officials and interest groups in Owings Mills.

Bear hunting has been restricted to Garrett County and far western Allegany County since Maryland ended a 51-year moratorium in 2004.

The document says the bear population east of Allegany is growing, along with bear nuisance complaints. It says additional hunting pressure should help slow the expansion of bears into counties further east.

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