In response to a Sun Journal story, “Wilton signs resolution against state referendum question on bear hunting” (Sept. 17), Question 1 is about ending bear baiting, hounding and trapping — and nothing else. Those practices are cruel and unsporting. Maine is the only state to allow all three extreme methods. Once Mainers vote to end […]
bear baiting
Posted inLetters
P. McKeown: Referendum is anti-hunter
(Editor’s note: Subsequent research by the Sun Journal identified several inaccuracies in this letter, which was based on an inaccurate article in the Washington Examiner. Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting has received 93 percent of its funding from the Humane Society of the United States. However, the HSUS never sued Feld Entertainment. It did become, […]
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Posted inLetters
P. Stock: The right thing to do
A sign has sprouted in my neck of the woods that reads, “Trust our wildlife biologists. Vote ‘no’ on Question One.” OK, I would assume wildlife biologists must know what they are talking about. But wait … when I try to think this thing through, I am really stuck. It just doesn’t feel right in […]
Posted inLetters
In rebuttal, M. Burgess: Argument full of hysteria
I write in response to the column written by Reps. Mike Shaw and Aaron Libby (Sept. 7). As a retired hunter, I expect fish and game department officials to promote hunting in order to bring in revenue to the department and state from residents and non-residents. But I wish they would be a little more […]
Posted inLocal Sports
Outdoors in Maine: First volley in bear referendum struck
In the Maine bear referendum battle for public opinion, the first volley has been fired. Saturday, Aug. 9, the Augusta Civic Center was the gathering place for what was perhaps the biggest fund-raising event in the annals of Maine’s hunting and outdoor sporting community. The Save Maine’s Bear Hunt Super Banquet was just that […]
Posted inLetters
C. Avis: Their logic escapes me
The logic used by opponents to fair chase bear hunting is puzzling at best. They simultaneously argue that without unsportsmanlike methods for finding bears, the bears will (1) be impossible to locate and (2) overtake the state. So, will the bears be everywhere (which is unlikely) or will they be nowhere? If the bears will […]
Posted inMaine
Bear control is a matter of numbers, say both sides
What would happen if the referendum passed? And how do some states control bears without using the techniques some here abhor? Randy Cross has been Maine’s chief bear biologist for more than 30 years. If the referendum passes this time, he foresees an immediate increase in the number of bears, one that’s likely to also […]
Posted inLetters
M. Moulton: Let bears run wild and free
I am really writing this letter to all the good hunters in the state of Maine. I hunted as hard as any man for 30 years when I was younger. In all those years, I came across many bears — in trees, on the ground or even fishing — papa bears, mama bears and even […]
Posted inLetters
G. Lewis: Voters will have final say
Patricia Keene’s letter (March 25) eagerly anticipated the Maine Legislature’s public hearing on the fair bear hunting ballot initiative. Alas, it seems the audience she most needed to reach wasn’t listening. Incredibly, the Legislature has declined a direct vote on the initiative, instead, tabling it indefinitely. That result was directly attributable to the Joint Standing […]
Posted inLetters
C. Violette: The reality of bear hunting
This is in response to Patricia Keene’s letter (March 25) advocating the protection of Maine’s bears. I was saddened that some people do not understand why Maine bears are hunted. Baiting bears is done with strict guidelines and is not just reckless dumping of human food. Bears are very smart. Humans will very rarely find […]