To the Editor:
I am writing concerning Question 1 (the bear referendum). First off there are a lot of things not being said. When this all started the yes side said openly that the main reason they are back is that they hope enough people from out of state had moved here in the last 10 years so they could win this time.
They said, if passed, the bear population will take care of itself. They don’t say how – disease, starvation, etc. Their main argument seems to be we don’t allow bait, dogs, or traps for moose and deer. By the way, the black bear is a fur bearing animal as is – fox, coyote, raccoon, and bobcat, which are all considered big game animals in Maine and are all baited, trapped, or chased with dogs.
They don’t want you to know that Maine is one of the few states that does not allow baiting deer and that chasing deer with dogs is legal in some states. We don’t need those methods. We do fine on deer and moose without them.
Without those three methods we will have no bear hunt, which is just what the yes side is after. I have hunted bear over bait and trapped them for 30 plus years. I have never been cruel to any. I have never had a “sinking rotten pile of garbage” for bait.
I don’t think most people realize that almost every animal in the woods is benefiting from these baits, not just bear. Whenever I have been finished for the season, I go back a week later and there is not even a crumb left. What is supposedly stinking up the woods?
I have seen everything except moose come to my baits and leave full and happy. What animals don’t eat the bait are hunting the ones that do.
Remember, when you see the ads and read the paper – these people have had 10 years to invent their facts. The no side is sticking to the facts, just like the last time.
I read a letter today in which the writer said the bear were reduced to trophy hunting in the 1970s. Well before that they were considered vermin and had a bounty on them. I’d say they took a step up!
Over 30 states have made it so you cannot have a referendum vote on fish and wildlife issues because most people know nothing about it. Maine tried last winter but couldn’t get it passed (politics as usual). I think we should push them to try again.
In the meantime I think if you cannot decide and know nothing about bear or hunting them, the best thing to do would be to skip the question when you vote. Myself, I will be voting “No.”
