Annapolis (Map, News) - Black bears are on the rise in Maryland, increasing by about 9 percent a year.

“These are the good old days for bears,” said Harry Spiker, black bear project leader for Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

However, people don’t need to worry because a bear attacking a human has never been reported in Maryland, Spiker said.

There were 326 adult and near adult black bears in Garrett and western Allegany counties, according to the department’s 2005 report, which is the most recent information available.

In 2000, only 227 were found, according to the department’s Web site.

Black bears have been rebounding ever since the 1950s and ’60s, when deforestation threatened their survival, Spiker said.

They are most prevalent in Garrett, Allegany, Washington and Frederick counties, but they are sometimes spotted in Baltimore, Harford, Montgomery and Anne Arundel counties, Spiker said.

Today’s healthy population is due to the tree-filled habitat in western Maryland and strict hunting restrictions, Spiker said.

This year, hunters killed 41 bears in Garrett and Allegany counties.

About 2,000 hunters competed for 200 permits, each good for one bear.

“It’s about the only animal you can hunt that will attack you or eat you if you don’t kill it,” said Joe Austin, a guide with DelMarVa Outdoor Outfitters.

The company offers hunting tours in Maryland and several other states.

No Maryland outfitters offer bear hunting tours, but he said he is considering them.

lgreenback@baltimoreexaminer.com