Deadline: August 31, 2026
Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources is running its annual black bear hunting permit lottery through August 31. DNR plans to issue 950 permits for Zone 1 (Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties) and 100 permits for Zone 2 (Frederick and Washington counties) for a six-day hunt this fall.
Every permit that goes to someone who has no intention of using it is a permit that does not go to someone who will kill a bear.
Getting Certified Is Easier Than You Think
To apply, you’ll need a one-time hunter education certification plus the $15 nonrefundable application fee — DNR requires applicants to comply with the Hunter Education and Safety Requirement at the time of application, not just if you win. A separate hunting license is required to actually participate in the hunt; check the DNR page below for what that covers. Good news on certification — you have options, and the fastest ones are entirely online with no in-person requirement:
- Fastest option: Take a fully online course (about 3 hours, self-paced, video-based) from a reciprocity-approved out-of-state provider like Hunter-Ed.com, ilearntohunt.com, or HunterSafetyUSA — no field day, no classroom, no range time. Maryland accepts out-of-state hunter ed certificates, so this satisfies the requirement completely. Cost is typically $25–$60, and the card usually arrives within a few business days.
- Maryland’s own course: Also starts online, but adds a required in-person Field Day session (a few hours). Skip this route unless you’d rather do it in person.
Once certified, applying for the lottery takes just a few minutes online.
Applying Takes Just a Few Minutes
- Enter the lottery. Apply 24/7 through MD Outdoors Online (mdoutdoors.maryland.gov), at any of Maryland’s 250+ licensed sport license agents, or by phone at 866-344-8889 — whichever is most convenient for you. All three routes take just a few minutes.
- If you’re drawn, accept the permit — and simply don’t hunt. Maryland’s lottery does not require winners to prove they hunted; declining to use a permit you legally hold is not illegal. Each permit you hold is one fewer bear killed this season, regardless of whether you ever load a rifle.
- Only one application per person is allowed. DNR disqualifies duplicate applications, so don’t try to submit more than once — spread the word instead so more advocates apply individually.
- Consider the new preference-point option. This year, DNR will let you carry over preference points even if you skip applying — but entering directly still removes a tag from circulation for this season, which a preference point alone does not do.
Before You Apply
- To apply, you’ll need hunter education certification and the $15 application fee. A separate hunting license is required to participate in the hunt itself — confirm on the MD DNR Black Bear Hunting page exactly what that requirement covers before you commit.
- This is a legal, non-disruptive way to reduce the number of bears killed — no protest, no confrontation, just fewer permits in hunters’ hands.
Spread the Word
Share this alert with fellow wildlife advocates before August 31. The more of us who apply, the fewer of Maryland’s black bears face a hunter this October.
Lottery closes August 31, 2026. Apply today — online at mdoutdoors.maryland.gov, at a licensed sport license agent, or by phone at 866-344-8889.