Applications accepted for bear lottery

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Maryland wildlife officials have announced that hunters wishing to participate in the first black bear hunt in 51 years can now apply for a lottery that will award 200 bear permits (140 for private lands, 60 for state lands). The harvest objective is for 30 bears. Once that number has been reached, the hunt will end immediately.

The bear season will run Oct.25-30 and Dec.6-11 in Garrett County and those areas west of Evitts Creek in Allegany County. Bear hunting permits will be made available through a random drawing process. Applications are being accepted until Sept.21. Interested? Call 888-579-6768 or go to the Web at blackbear.dnr.state.md.us.

Applicants must pay a $15 nonrefundable fee and may enter only once. They must possess a valid Hunter Safety Certificate or have held a hunting license before July1, 1977 or have hunted on private property before that date to apply. The drawing will be held Sept.22. Applicants will be notified shortly thereafter.

The DNR is working with interested landowners to provide private land hunting opportunities.

For more information please visit us online at www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife or call 410/260-8540.

Eastern Shore hunt lottery -- Get in on a lottery to lease hunting tracts belonging to Chesapeake Forest Lands. The lottery will be tomorrow. More than 14,000 acres of Chesapeake Forest Lands will be open for public hunting this season, including some waterfowl sites. Tract information, maps and driving directions are available at www.dnr.maryland.gov, and hunting clubs should know that 12 tracts will be leased to clubs only.

Lottery guidelines, tracts, lease rates, maps and directions are available. The deadline for lottery applications is tomorrow at noon. Information about public hunting and club leases can be obtained on the DNR Web site, www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/ chesapeakeforests or by calling the Chesapeake Forest Lands office at 410/543-9869.