Bear-law backers criticize DIF&W Officials deny illegal activism

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife denied allegations Wednesday that state biologists are illegally stumping for hunting groups against a proposed ban on bear baiting.

Wednesday afternoon, Citizens for Fair Bear Hunting and Hunters for Fair Bear Hunting held a press conference to publicize letters they have sent to Gov. John Baldacci and DIF&W Commissioner Roland “Dan” Martin, accusing the department of working hand in hand with a coalition of groups trying to defeat the November referendum vote on whether bear trapping and hunting bear over bait and with dogs should be legal.

“Government personnel have spent time and money strategizing how to influence the vote and defeat this referendum,” Citizens for Fair Bear Hunting spokesman Bob Fisk said Wednesday. “These activities are a serious threat to the integrity of the electoral process. They’re illegal and we want them to cease.”

DIF&W opposes the referendum on grounds that it would take bear population management out of the hands of wildlife biologists, but is not a member of the coalition.

Called Maine’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Council, the coalition is composed of groups such as the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine and the Maine Professional Guides Association.

The letter also specifically accuses Martin, Deputy Commissioner Paul Jacques, who also at one time was a SAM lobbyist, and high-ranking wildlife biologists Ken Elowe and Mark Stadler of impropriety.

DIF&W spokesman Mark Latti said Wednesday that his department has followed the very specific recommendations laid out by the governor’s office last July – which stated that the department could take a position on the referendum so long as biologists provided fair scientific information to all. The guidelines also stated that department personnel may appear at fund-raising events as long as they do not actually solicit funds, and in campaign ads as long as they are not wearing state uniforms.

“The governor has been strong about complying with the law, while making sure state employees are able to exercise their [personal] right to campaign” Baldacci spokesman Lee Umphrey said Wednesday.

But Fisk argued that state biologists have spent the past year raising funds for the council, creating biased educational materials, and working on the campaign against the referendum while on company time and in state offices.

“They’ve crossed the line,” Fisk said.

Edie Leary, spokeswoman for Maine’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Council, said Wednesday that the department’s role in her campaign has been informational. It just happens that the state’s position, and the science that it is based on, align more closely with her position than with Fisk’s, she said.

“The department needs to be able to provide voters with facts, and that’s what they’re doing,” Leary said.

Latti also said that all department activities have fallen within the bounds of providing information. “We’re following the law,” he said.

A spokesman for the Attorney General’s Office added Wednesday that he was not aware of any efforts to investigate improper behavior by DIF&W employees with regard to the bear referendum.