The impending statewide referendum that will determine how Mainers trap and hunt bears will be the topic of discussion on Thursday at a dinner sponsored by the Industrial Forest Resources Association.

The Industrial Forestry Forum will take place at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer, with a social hour beginning at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:15 and guest speakers will talk about the bear referendum beginning at 7.

The cost is $20 per person, or $15 for students with valid ID.

Speaking on behalf of the Maine Fish & Wildlife Conservation Council will be Tenley Meara.

Speaking on behalf of Maine Citizens for Fair Bear Hunting will be Robert Fisk.

The Industrial Forestry Forum is open to everyone and FRA membership is encouraged but not required. Meals can be purchased at the door with check, cash or credit. No pre-registration is required.

For more information contact Patrick Hackley at (603) 267-6395.

State safety courses on tap

Prospective bow hunters who haven’t completed the safety courses required of first-time hunters can take advantage of several opportunities to do so in the coming weeks.

The following bow-hunter classes are on tap:

. At Dexter High School, Aug. 30-Sept. 1 from 6-9:30 p.m., call Donna Gellette at 924-7674 or Woody Thompson at 876-3497.

. At Penobscot County Conservation Association in Brewer, Sept. 25 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sept. 26 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., call Woody Thomson at 876-3497.

. At Hermon High School, Sept. 1-2 from 6-9 p.m. and Sept. 4 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., call Woody Thompson at 876-3497.

. At Howland, Sept. 77-8 from 6-9 p.m. and Sept. 11 from 8 a.m.-noon, call Judy Linquist at 732-3814 or Woody Thompson at 876-3497.

. At Sedomocha Middle School in Dover-Foxcroft, Sept. 25 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sept. 26 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., call Lorrette Nuite at 564-6525 or Woody Thompson at 876-3497.

. At American Legion Post 16 in Skowhegan, Sept. 18 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., call Don Perrine at 474-6829.

To submit an item for publication in the Outdoor Notebook, send e-mail to jholyoke@bangordailynews.net, fax to 990-8092 or mail information to Outdoor Notebook, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor, Maine, 04402-1329.