Black Bear 2023

[Hibs]

I read the thread from last year. I just received the email, I was selected (only my second year hunting in MD). I’m going all out, as this is my last year in Maryland until I PCS next summer. I plan to take the week off work, do some pre season scouting, etc

Numbers from last year favor Garrett county. Besides that, I have no idea where to start. Plan to learn as much as I can. YouTube, books, online articles. I’m welcome to any and all tips you all may have!

Rifle, I’m thinking my .308 is probably best suited for this task. Just an old Remington model 700 from the 70s. Rebarreled with a take off sporter barrel, shortened to 16”. Nothing special but should give me the most flexibility.

 

[[Kev308]]

Congrats on being selected. That will be a helluva hunt. Good luck, I hope you are successful!

Find a restaurant in the area and see if they are hanging around in the woods.

 

[Brickman301]

That’s awesome. I can’t help you out, as I don’t know much about bear hunting either. I’ll be checking this page out for help as well. I purchased some property in PA, and I’ve got a lot of pictures of bear on my trail cameras. I’d like to try it out this fall.

 

[AlBeight]

Congrats to all that got drawn this year, and best of luck on the hunt. I didn’t even apply this year, first time since the lottery began. Somehow I was picked both of the last 2 seasons and struck out both times. I figured it was someone else's turn this year.

 

[John from MD]

I read the thread from last year. I just received the email, I was selected (only my second year hunting in MD). I’m going all out, as this is my last year in Maryland until I PCS next summer. I plan to take the week off work, do some pre season scouting, etc

Numbers from last year favor Garrett county. Besides that, I have no idea where to start. Plan to learn as much as I can. YouTube, books, online articles. I’m welcome to any and all tips you all may have!

Rifle, I’m thinking my .308 is probably best suited for this task. Just an old Remington model 700 from the 70s. Rebarreled with a take off sporter barrel, shortened to 16”. Nothing special but should give me the most flexibility.

Congrats bro! Take some peanut butter and walk around in the woods.

 

[Hibs]

OK about to make reservations at a camp ground in garrett county. I'm going to take the whole week off work. Go up the weekend prior for scouting.

My best friend (recently retired military) isn't able to make it up from Florida. So i'm still deciding who my posse will be (or if I go solo).

Also trying to debate on firearm. I've been using my Ruger American in .350 Legend a lot the last two years here in MD. I'm debating between it, or taking my Remington Model 700 in .308.... The .308 obviously gives more "oomph" and greater range, but, do I need the extra range? Myself never having spent a lot of time out west I can't say for certain, but I imagine that my shots will likely be 100 yards or less. Decisions decisions.

 

[Hibs]

Reservation officially made, Sleep Hallow Campground near New Germany State Park, in Savage River State Forest. I'm going to be there the whole hunt week.

 

[AlBeight]

Reservation officially made, Sleep Hallow Campground near New Germany State Park, in Savage River State Forest. I'm going to be there the whole hunt week.

Good choice. If you don’t have any luck with the hunt, you should at least enjoy your stay. Best of luck on both.

 

[RRomig]

Im pretty sure I’ll be at the lake. Let me know if you want o have a MDS west breakfast

 

[Hibs]

Im pretty sure I’ll be at the lake. Let me know if you want o have a MDS west breakfast

New Germany Lake?

Yes would absolutely do a MDS Breakfast!

 

[[Kev308]]

Find a secluded primitive camp, and just BBQ everyday all day for a week and hope a bear wanders into camp. Technically you would be hunting over bait, but just tell the game warden you were just about to head out of camp for the days hunt.

 

[RRomig]

New Germany Lake?

Yes would absolutely do a MDS Breakfast!

No I’ll be at deep creek but there’s plenty of areas to eat breakfast and I don’t usually bear hunt until the afternoon.

 

[CHUNKERMD]

Got a game cam pic back in June here in moco. Probably long gone now.
I wouldn't harm it unless it was trying to harm me or mine.
Looks young, looking for his new territory.

 

[jr88]

Reservation officially made, Sleep Hallow Campground near New Germany State Park, in Savage River State Forest. I'm going to be there the whole hunt week.

Just that week will be worth the lottery.

 

[ChrisD]

OK about to make reservations at a camp ground in garrett county. I'm going to take the whole week off work. Go up the weekend prior for scouting.

My best friend (recently retired military) isn't able to make it up from Florida. So i'm still deciding who my posse will be (or if I go solo).

Also trying to debate on firearm. I've been using my Ruger American in .350 Legend a lot the last two years here in MD. I'm debating between it, or taking my Remington Model 700 in .308.... The .308 obviously gives more "oomph" and greater range, but, do I need the extra range? Myself never having spent a lot of time out west I can't say for certain, but I imagine that my shots will likely be 100 yards or less. Decisions decisions.

Personally, I would use the 308 of those choices.
If I were hunting over bait with a 50-75 yard shot, or having one treed by dogs, I wouldn’t have a problem with the 350 with a 180 grain bullet. Aware these scenarios don’t apply to MD bear hunting, just comparative sake. But I would rather have the extra energy and range should a larger animal or longer shot present an opportunity. Why take a rifle that may not deliver sufficient downrange energy for a lethal hit?

Looking briefly, found this info:

 

[Hibs]

Personally, I would use the 308 of those choices.
If I were hunting over bait with a 50-75 yard shot, or having one treed by dogs, I wouldn’t have a problem with the 350 with a 180 grain bullet. Aware these scenarios don’t apply to MD bear hunting, just comparative sake. But I would rather have the extra energy and range should a larger animal or longer shot present an opportunity. Why take a rifle that may not deliver sufficient downrange energy for a lethal hit?

Looking briefly, found this info:
View attachment 431202
View attachment 431206

Very true, huge energy loss on the 350 which isn't so apparent just hitting steel at the range.

I think you are right, the .308 is going to be my first choice. Time to bust it out of the safe. I haven't touched it since (unsuccessfully) going on a Colorado elk hunt 8-9 years ago. I know I have a pile of FMJs to confirm zero, and I think I have a few boxes of Remington Core-Lokt which would deliver dandy on a bear.

 

[ChrisD]

Very true, huge energy loss on the 350 which isn't so apparent just hitting steel at the range.

I think you are right, the .308 is going to be my first choice. Time to bust it out of the safe. I haven't touched it since (unsuccessfully) going on a Colorado elk hunt 8-9 years ago. I know I have a pile of FMJs to confirm zero, and I think I have a few boxes of Remington Core-Lokt which would deliver dandy on a bear.

Good luck! Post some pics if you are successful.
I just did a preference point for this year. Maybe next year I’ll get back in the lottery.

 

[4g64loser]

Got a game cam pic back in June here in moco. Probably long gone now.
I wouldn't harm it unless it was trying to harm me or mine.
Looks young, looking for his new territory.
View attachment 431187

Definitely a juvenile. Cool to see.

One of my jobs, we have them regularly on the property and they are cool to observe.

 

[slsc98]

There are a sow and two cubs in our neighborhood; neighbor texted us in June to look out our front door as they were meandering across our meadow … they’re still around so I am pretty sure one or more of our neighbors are feeding them (same reason people put salt licks in their yard, they “like to watch the deer”) … there’s a bakery nearby which sell entire racks of expired bread, donuts, jelly rolls, etc for a few bucks (most people use the racks to feed their hogs etc)

The sow crossed the road about 35 yards in front of the wife and our dog about a month ago; I don’t know how exactly poor their eyesight is but, she only paused long enough to glance in my wife’s direction and then continued on her way up into the woods. The dog was looking the other way and never saw her.

OP, best o’ success!

 

[Park ranger]

My back yard this summer. My hound dog treed her.