PORTLAND (AP) — Bear hunting is one of Maine’s oldest traditions, and residents might be able to do more of it in the future — but not before some claws come out in the Maine State House. Hunters and animal welfare activists are preparing for a spat over a pair of bills that could potentially […]
bear hunting
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting suit goes to Maine Supreme Court
PORTLAND — The Maine Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments in a lawsuit that pits a hunting reform group against the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife about the agency’s role in defeating proposed changes to the state’s bear hunt. Maine residents shot down changes to the bear hunt at polls in 2014. Mainers […]
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Posted inLocal Sports
Outdoors in Maine: Bear hunting nostalgia
The Maine bear hunt is on! Unless you are an agitator with the Humane Society of the United States, this is a good story, a good hunt, and a good time of year. The weather in early September is splendid. Excited hunters come from all corners of the country to harvest a Maine black bear. […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine bear hunting: Bear baiting has started
PORTLAND — Maine hunters are starting to drop bait in the woods for bears as one of the most popular hunting seasons in northern New England draws near. Hunters are allowed to pursue bears with the use of bait, dogs or traps. Bait is by far the most popular method of hunting bears, and the […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Bear hunters prep for new season; opponents may try new baiting ban
PORTLAND — Maine’s bear hunters are getting ready for their season after withstanding a pair of challenges to the way they hunt, but opponents say their methods are cruel and they might try again to stop them. The season is critical to guides, lodge owners, outfitters and others who make a living serving people who […]
Posted inOp-Eds
René Tatro: Fair chase hunting rebounded in Oregon
I am a lifelong hunter of French Canadian descent. I strongly support Question 1 to end the baiting, hounding and trapping of Maine’s bears. Here is why: At least since President Theodore Roosevelt vastly expanded the national forest system and a range of other public lands for use by the masses, hunters have recognized their […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Bob Noonan: The truth about bear trapping
Regarding Question 1, there seems to be widespread misunderstanding about bear trapping. To start with, the steel-jawed foothold trap is not legal in Maine. Only foot snares or cage traps are allowed. Bear cage traps are expensive, big, culvert-type affairs that have to be moved by vehicle, while a foot snare can be easily carried […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Bear bait vote sparks interest around the nation
WILTON (AP) — In Maine, a hunter can shoot a bear while it’s nose-deep in a barrel of doughnuts, after it’s been chased up a tree with dogs, or when it’s snared in a cable trap — but that could change in days, and hunters and animal rights advocates around the country are watching. Bears […]
Posted inLetters
R. McInnis: Support the state biologists
A “yes” vote on Maine Question 1 would mean an increase in the bear population during the next few years. The increase in numbers of bears would mean an expansion of their range and possibly bears would spread more into human populated areas. If that happened, Maine’s wardens would not be able to handle the […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Both sides of bear hunt ballot question spend $1.6M on TV ads
AUGUSTA — The two groups fighting over a ballot measure in Maine that would ban the use of dogs, bait and traps for bear hunting have spent $1.6 million to run television advertisements, according to information released Thursday by the Center for Public Integrity. The pro-ban group Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting has spent $860,500 […]