I move toads and snakes away from the lawnmower. I have stopped traffic to save a mother duck and ducklings. Nevertheless, I oppose Question 1, which would prohibit using bait or dogs to hunt bear and would prohibit trapping bear. Why the seeming contradiction? Because Question 1 is bad for people and wildlife. Maine is […]
Question One
Posted inLetters
H. Hamilton: Best system available
Norway author C. A. Stevens, 1844-1931, wrote in one of his books about Old Sloo Foot, a great bear that once roamed the hills of North Norway. The bear got its name from its limping gait — it had sacrificed a foot to escape a leg trap — the kind of trap no longer legal […]
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David Trahan: Humane Society lawsuit is a political stunt
When diagnosing disease, doctors use their nearly decade of specialized schooling, plus their experience, plus all available research, to diagnose ailments. Wildlife biologists use exactly the same formula to determine how to manage bears, and all other wildlife. Maine biologists receive specialized schooling, they constantly collect and analyze research, and they use Maine’s 40 years […]
Posted inLetters
K. Scribner: Way out in left field
This is reference to Gail Roberts’ letter to the editor in the Sun Journal (Oct. 10). To start with, the bear in question was treed by Portland police officers and their canine. They are not trained to handle wildlife, as is the Warden Service. And she should know that the Warden Service personnel are paid […]
Posted inLetters
R. Hesslein: Treat bears with respect
Trust Maine’s wildlife biologists? That’s about like saying trust all the politicians. And that is what is going on here with state officials taking a political position rather than a position based on actual biology of Maine bears. There is nothing in the biology of wild Maine bears that would suggest it is healthy to […]
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V. Ouellette: The responsible thing to do
I am not a hunter, but I know many who hunt. All types of hunting include some sort of lure, such as using scent for deer during the rut season or rattling antlers; also, turkey/duck calls and decoys. With baiting, hunters still leave the woods empty-handed. It is not an easy kill, as the “yes” […]
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C. Glazier: Unintended consequences
The biologists and game wardens employed by the state of Maine are recommending that bear hunting in Maine should remain as it is. That includes the long-held practice of using bait. If that makes sense to people who know such things, why should Maine residents vote to change it? Is there something going on that […]
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L. Lyons: Baiting isn’t hunting
The definition of hunting is: To chase or search for, to scour in pursuit of game. The definition of baiting is: To entice by deception or trickery as to entrap or destroy; to set dogs upon an animal for sport. Placing a bunch of stale Twinkies and doughnuts in the woods in order to shoot […]
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E. Kelley: Selectmen got it wrong
A few weeks ago, the Wilton Board of Selectmen made statements to the press opposing the referendum on bear hunting. They also made false claims about bear biology and the economic impact of the bear hunting referendum. The selectmen making those statements are out of touch with the facts, as well as out of touch […]
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Fred Rolfe: The sad reality behind Question 1
Question 1 — what is it really all about? The intent of the referendum is clearly to eliminate bear hunting and, ultimately, all hunting in Maine. The organization behind the question is supported by and funded almost entirely by the out-of-state “animal rights” organization known as The Humane Society of the United States — a […]