MARYLAND (DC News Now) -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced on Tuesday that hunters harvested 125 black bears during the state's 21st annual black bear hunt, which is conducted to help manage the black bear population. The hunt took place from Oct. 21 to Oct. 26 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett and Washington counties. According to the department, 73 of the bears harvested were female, and 52 were male. Hunters harvested the most from Garrett County with 80 bears and Frederick County harvested the least amount with 10 bears. Hunters took the largest bear, weighing 650 pounds, in Frederick County. Oh deer! VDOT, DWR warns drivers to stay alert during deer mating season This year, the hunt harvested 22 more bears than last season, and hunters beat the five-year average of 104 bears. “Many hunters enjoyed a week of trekking through western Maryland’s mountains pursuing one of the state’s most elusive game species,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service director Karina Stonesifer. “The state’s bear hunting season is an essential part of the management strategy to mitigate human-bear conflict throughout the expanding black bear range.” The event, which is a part of the Maryland Black Bear Management Plan, is conducted to reduce the number of "human-bear conflicts" and damage caused by bears in the state. Between 2011 and 2021, black bears caused a yearly average of over 480 nuisance calls and $18,700 in agricultural damages, according to the department's website. In addition, around 60 bears are killed each year by cars.