The Maine Woods Coalition, a group created to oppose the creation of a national park in the state’s northern forest, announced Tuesday its opposition to the bear referendum.

Maine voters will consider the referendum to ban bear baiting, trapping and hunting with dogs in November. Supporters call these hunting practices cruel and unnecessary, and say that “ethical” bear hunting can continue with a ban in place.

The Maine Woods Coalition argued that the referendum would destroy a Maine woods tradition and leave the state more vulnerable to federal oversight.

“Banning most bear hunting is another step by those who would end our traditions and forest products economy,” coalition spokesman and Millinocket Town Manager Gene Conlogue said in a statement released Tuesday.

“Once these traditions are destroyed, the possibility of a national park is greatly increased,” he said.

The Maine Woods Coalition has not officially joined Maine’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Council, another alliance of groups opposing the referendum, but that may be considered in the future, Conlogue said in a Tuesday interview.

RESTORE: The North Woods, the major group promoting a national forest park in Maine, has not taken a position on the referendum yet. However, with a board of directors meeting scheduled before the election, it is possible the group will choose to do so, Ken Spaulding of the group’s Hallowell office said Tuesday.

Roxanne Quimby, the Burt’s Bees millionaire who has been buying forestland for preservation, said Tuesday that she prefers to keep her opinion on the matter private.