What has the DNR done to resolve bear/human conflicts?
The DNR has a very proactive public education campaign to teach residents and visitors of the state how to “Live with Black Bears. This includes educating landowners, school groups, local governments, communities and visitors on how to co-exist with black bears. This education campaign includes public displays, lectures, workshops, and education materials for the home and classroom. • What will happen if we dont use lethal control? Bear populations will continue to increase throughout western Maryland and expand into the central part of the state. As the population grows, we expect a continuing increase in nuisance complaints and vehicle strikes. We also expect an erosion of public tolerance for bears, which may result in increased illegal killing of bears and an overall loss of support for having this great creature as part of Marylands ecological landscape. • Where is the hunt area? The hunt area is all of Garrett and Allegany counties. This area currently has the largest density of
