I was born and raised in this state. I fully admit that I am not a hunter but know several friends and family members who hunt for the tradition and for food in the freezer for those long, hard winters.

The words “Maine” and “hunting” should be synonymous. The lifestyle and sport of hunting in this one-of-a-kind state should and never will be extinguished by any true Mainer, or by any special interest group. However, I will be voting “yes” on Question 1.

If I had my choice on re-phrasing the question, I would vote “no” on Question 1 with one caveat: Take out the hounding and the trapping — period. Allow baiting only if so-called “hunters” are required to carry bait in a net knapsack strapped to their backs as they are walking through the woods, with crumbs spilling from the bottom. Two knapsacks, front and rear, for out-of-staters. Everyone gets to carry all of the firepower they want.

That should even up the odds a bit and also provide to social media fans quite a few million moments.

Larry Comeau, Auburn