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2006-2007 Black Bear
Project Report
Submitted by:
Harry Spiker, Black Bear Project Leader
May 1, 2007
Introduction
Historically, black bears were found in all of Maryland’s counties. However, as
settlers cleared the landscape for agriculture, industry, and timber production
throughout the 18th, 19th, and early 20th
centuries, most of Maryland’s suitable black bear habitat was lost. By the
mid-20th century, black bears could only be found in the rugged
mountainous areas in western Maryland. By the mid 1950s, only a few bears were
estimated to remain in the state. In 1953, the black bear hunting season was
closed due to concerns of a dwindling bear population. In 1972, the status of
black bears was changed from ‘forest game animal’ to ‘endangered species’ in
Maryland.
As habitat conditions improved with the maturation of
second-growth forests, DNR began to receive increased reports of bear sightings
and damage. Maryland’s bear population has been increasing since the mid
1970s. As a result, in 1980, the black bear was moved from the ‘endangered’
species classification to that of ‘nongame species of special concern’. In
1985, the black bear’s status was once again changed to that of a ‘forest game
animal’ with a closed hunting season.
Currently, Maryland has a breeding population of black
bears in the 4 westernmost counties (Garrett, Allegany, Washington, and
Frederick), with the highest bear densities found in Garrett and western
Allegany counties
(Figure 1). Although evidence of a breeding population is confined to the
western 4 counties, DNR receives several bear sightings and complaints in
central and southern Maryland counties each year.
Population Estimation
To effectively manage the state’s black bear population, DNR must have a
basic understanding of the population status. However, scientifically
estimating the size of wildlife populations is among the most challenging and
costly tasks that wildlife managers undertake. Therefore, DNR conducts
population estimates only periodically. To date, DNR has conducted 3 black bear
population estimates. The most recent estimate was conducted in 2005.
The first population estimate, conducted in 1991, estimated
a bear population of 79 bears in Garrett County. In 2000, DNR used cutting-edge
DNA technology to estimate the population in Garrett and western Allegany
counties, from Cumberland to the West Virginia line. A population of 227 adult
and subadult bears (cubs are excluded from these estimates due to the field
methods used to obtain samples) was estimated by means of this DNA study.
In 2005, DNR replicated the prior study, again relying on
DNA technology to estimate the black bear population. This study revealed an
estimated population of 326 adult and subadult black bears in Garrett and
western Allegany counties. The 2005 population estimate continues to support
other trend information indicating that the western Maryland black bear
population continues to grow.
Black Bear Scent
Station Survey
DNR employs a variety of annual surveys to monitor black bear population
trends over time. DNR has conducted a black bear scent station survey since
1993 in an effort to document trends in the black bear population. This type of
survey is a tool used by many wildlife agencies in the United States and Canada
to monitor the status of black bear populations.
Bait stations are located in areas occupied by black
bears. Currently, scent stations are established in Garrett, Allegany,
Washington, and Frederick counties. To create a scent station, a scent
attractant (sardines packed in soybean oil) is suspended with a nylon string
placed in a tree 6-8 feet off the ground and about 2-3 feet from the base of the
tree. Stations are located 0.5 miles apart. A minimum of 4 stations is used to
establish a route.
The stations are checked 8 days after establishment, and
any wildlife activity is noted for each station. The observer must distinguish
between raccoon, opossum, black bear and other wildlife activity. All visits by
black bears are considered a hit, and a visitation rate is calculated for each
survey route. Total visitation is also calculated, thus providing a visitation
index that can be used to compare results between years.
In 2006, bears visited 42.3% of the 234 bait stations
distributed across western Maryland. This is a substantial increase over the
3.1% visitation rate noted in 1993, the first year of the survey. In Garrett
County, 133 bait stations were established on 17 routes in 2006, with 62.4% of
these stations visited by bears
(Figure 2). This far exceeds the 1993 visitation rate of 3.9%.
Mortality Survey
Black bear mortalities have been monitored by DNR since 1981. At that
time, there were 2 known bear mortalities in Maryland. Black bear mortalities
have shown a steady increase since then, with 69 known nonhunting bear
mortalities in Maryland in 2006
(Figure 3).
Nonseasonal black bear mortalities are classified into 4
different categories: road kills, illegal kills, unknown, and other.
Vehicle-bear collisions continue to be the largest cause of nonseasonal
mortality, accounting for 52 (75%) of the year’s 69-recorded mortalities. In
2006, road kills were recovered in all 4 western Maryland counties (Garrett,
Allegany, Washington, and Frederick).
Reproduction Survey
Through the use of radio telemetry equipment, the Wildlife and Heritage
Service (WHS) has been monitoring black bear reproduction since 1986. Since
then, the study has recorded 209 cubs born to 69 sows, for a long-term average
of 3.0 cubs per sow. The average annual litter size has ranged between 2.5 and
3.5 cubs per sow. In 2007, DNR tagged 14 cubs that were born to 5 different
sows. DNR is currently monitoring 13 different sows in western Maryland.
Cooperative Research Project with West Virginia
University
DNR and West Virginia University are entering the third year in a
collaborative research project in Garrett County. Through the use of GPS
collars, black bear movements are being studied. Spatial and habitat
requirements for female black bears will be determined. Preliminary data shows
that sows in Garrett County are maintaining approximately a 13 square mile home
range.
Additionally, armband GPS units are being deployed on bear
hunters to examine any correlations between bear movements to hunter pressure,
which will allow researchers to assess black bear vulnerability to hunters.
Data collected from both hunters and bears has given us an insight on the
spatial characteristics and habits of both bears and hunters. The use of GPS
collars should also offer DNR some detailed information regarding human-bear
interactions.
Nuisance Resolution/Education
In 1996, a formal nuisance response plan was implemented and has been
revised as we continue to learn the most effective ways to handle human-bear
conflicts in Maryland. In 1997, a bear response team consisting of WHS
employees was created to address after hours human-bear conflicts in Garrett
County. The team is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from April through
November.
The response plan includes conflict mitigation strategies
for any type of black bear nuisance call that DNR and other public agencies may
receive. Education, technical assistance, nonlethal management strategies and
lethal management are used to mitigate human/bear encounters in the nuisance
response plan.
In recent years, WHS has undertaken an aggressive
Information and Education program revolving around the theme – “Maryland’s
Bear Country – Learning to Live with Black Bears”. Components of this
program include printed pamphlets, public presentations, standardized ‘canned’
slide shows, public workshops, and interviews with print, radio, and television
media. For information on how to avoid nuisance black bear behaviors and how to
live with Maryland’s black bears, please visit
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/bblivingwith.asp.
WHS has also created several black bear learning trunks for
loan to local schools, state parks, etc. In addition to the “Learning to
Live with Black Bears” slide show and information, the trunks contain
informative videos, natural history information (e.g. a bear hide, skull, track
plate, etc.), lesson plans and activities geared to address various age groups.
The trunks have been very popular with elementary and middle schools.
WHS annually holds a series of workshops for local public
safety agencies (police & fire departments, 911 emergency management centers,
etc.). At these workshops, agencies are provided with DNR’s Black Bear Nuisance
Response Plan. They are given guidance on how to handle nuisance bear calls,
informed about which situations should be considered emergency situations, and
how to contact the appropriate DNR personnel to resolve nuisance bear
situations.
Black Bear Hunting in Maryland
In an effort to slow the growth of Maryland’s increasing black bear
population, DNR implemented Maryland’s first bear-hunting season in 51 years in
October 2004. Subsequent bear-hunting seasons have been held in 2005 and 2006.
A very conservative hunt has been implemented in Maryland. Two hundred
bear-hunting permits were awarded in 2004 and 2005 via a random selection
process. In 2006, the number of permits was increased to 220. This was due to
the expansion of the bear-hunting area to include all of Allegany and Garrett
counties in 2006. Applicants submitted a $15 nonrefundable fee for a chance to
hunt black bears in western Maryland (Garrett and Allegany counties). Maryland
bear hunters are required to check in daily to determine if the quota has been
achieved and if the hunt will continue the next day. All harvested bears are
required to be checked in at a designated DNR checking station. More than 2,000
hunters have applied for a bear-hunting permit each year.
DNR established a harvest quota targeting an approximate 8%
hunting mortality. An 8% hunting mortality would produce an approximate 20%
overall mortality rate (hunting season + nonseasonal mortality). Quota ranges
have varied between 30 and 55 bears across the 3 years. In 2004, hunters
harvested 20 bears on the opening day of the 6-day season. DNR effectively
closed the hunt at the end of the first day to avoid exceeding the harvest quota
of 30 bears. In 2005, 40 bears were harvested in 4 days before the hunt was
closed. In 2006, 41 bears were harvested in 2 days of hunting.
Figure 1. Maryland’s occupied black
bear range
Figure 2. Garrett County
scent station survey results (1993–2006)
Figure 3. Black bear mortality in Maryland (1985-2006)
Published by the Wildlife and Heritage Service
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
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