Improving habitat conditions throughout the tri-state region prompted bear relocation efforts by the state of Pennsylvania. The success of this program, coupled with various bear management programs employed by West Virginia, helped generate a spillover of bears into Maryland during the 1970's and 1980's. The improving habitat conditions in Western Maryland invited black bears back to an area they had historically occupied. Public support of law enforcement efforts to thwart illegal hunting of black bears insured that black bears would succeed in their new habitat. Likewise, there has been a corresponding increase in bear-human related incidents.
Education is the key to successfully coexisting with bears.
In this activity, you will investigate problems associated with the increasing bear population and methods utilized to control the size of the bear population. In this activity, you will research the viewpoints of the different stakeholders involved with the proposed hunting season in western Maryland. On that sheet you will take notes regarding the history of the black bear in Maryland, the current methods used to control the black bear population problem, the viewpoints of stakeholders involved, as well as including notes on other information that may influence your decision. Once the worksheet is complete, you should complete a rough draft of the letter following the format given above and outlined in the template link. When this letter is complete, print two copies, one for yourself and the second for proofreading by a peer and your teacher.