Fair, ethical hunting needed in Maine

With all due respect to veteran columnist Tom Hennessey I must express my disappointment in the views expressed in his weekend piece (BDN July 3-4) addressing the upcoming referendum on hunting bears over bait and with dogs. Instead of concentrating on the questions that will actually be decided in November – whether Maine should continue to allow hunters to kill bears over set bait, trap bears in leg-hold traps, and run bears with dogs – Mr. Hennessey descends into the ridiculous and paranoid arguments put forth by those in the professional bear hunting “industry” that such restrictions are bound to lead to the ban of all hunting followed by a similar ban on fishing in the state.

This is a transparent smoke screen generated by the desperate advocates of these disgraceful hunting practices who have no solid arguments to defend their position and sense inevitable defeat. They are trying to hoodwink the thousands of responsible sportsmen in the state into supporting their sorry cause.

This pathetic strategy will not work. Responsible informed hunters do know the difference. They know that banning these practices in other states has never led to a general ban on hunting and fishing. They know the difference between shooting grouse on the wing and shooting an exhausted bear out of a tree after it has been chased by dogs equipped with radio transmitters and reinforced with fresh comrades each time the panicked creature leads them near a road. They know that there are approximately 150,000 licensed resident hunters in Maine and that most hunters who employ bear guiding services are from outside the state and that these clients take nearly all the legal bear kill each season.

They also know that they can stand up against any serious attempt by the Humane Society, or anyone else, to stop hunting altogether and can count on the support of countless Mainers should such a defense become necessary.

The average sportsman also knows that the image of a camo-clad “sport” killing a bear that has been trained to come in for his dinner is exactly the type of activity that can swing the opinion of nonhunting citizens against all aspects of the sport, and that the sooner we clean up our own house by insisting on fair and ethical hunting practices the more welcome will be considerate hunters everywhere.

Jerry Stelmok

Atkinson

Vote with your brain, not for the pain

Using junk food (as bait), radio collar dogs and steel-jaw traps are cowardly methods employed to slaughter, not hunt, bears. The term “hunt” used in connection with these unethical, unsporting methods would lend dignity to a practice without any. True sportsmen shun these measures. Many hunters who once tried these means now regret their participation.

With the unending expansion of development, bears and other forest dwellers continue to suffer the loss of critical habitat. The artificial lure of food drives all animals closer to the boundaries of human encroachment. This is an invitation for disaster. Common sense dictates a cautious and sensible management of food materials when living in proximity to any wildlife. Therefore, should the treacherous means of baiting be allowed to upset an otherwise delicate balance?

Trophy seekers “from away” comprise the bulk of those who, under the tutelage of Maine guides and outfitters, are often “guaranteed” a kill. Shameful! If the situation were not so tragic, it would be laughable! There is no more challenge or thrill of the hunt in what they do than a canned hunt operation!

Canned hunt animals have zero chance of survival. Animals (usually exotics) are confined to very restricted areas, and often do not make it out of the cages that transport them. Tarzan, these guys are not.

I am confident real hunters abhor these tactics and take pride in his or her stealth, stamina and intelligence when hunting. Oregon, Washington and Colorado have banned baiting and hounding. To hear the cry of a bear held fast in a trap as bullets pierce his flesh is the stuff of nightmares.

Voters in Maine have an opportunity to forever banish these cruel behaviors. Watch for this issue on your November ballot, and vote with your brain, not for the pain.

For more information contact: Maine Citizens for Fair Bear Hunting, 190 U.S. Route 1, Falmouth, ME 04105; or call 207-781-5155

Donna Milbource

Sanford