Hunting ethics are referendum’s focus

If I understand John Holyoke’s argument correctly (BDN, Sept 4-5), he thinks that if the bear baiting ban is passed, it will be a shame to lose all the camaraderie that happens at these hunting gatherings. Not many supporters of the ban would be willing to admit it, I bet, but he’s right: it will be a shame, and I sympathize.

But it doesn’t address the question of whether these methods of hunting are fair or ethical. That’s where the focus needs to be. If they aren’t ethical, and I don’t think they are, then they should be banned. Simple as that. The fact that some people, even a lot of people, will be deprived of some good times if they can no longer get bears hooked on doughnuts and then shoot them in the back as they eat them, doesn’t change that fact.

And honestly I’m not convinced that the ban has to destroy these good experiences in the first place. John says himself that many of the hunters couldn’t care less whether they actually get a bear, and still enjoy themselves either way. If that’s true, and the camaraderie, not the actual bear killing, is what’s crucial, then bear hunting by more challenging methods should be just as enjoyable. Even if it wasn’t, we’d have only ourselves to blame if we couldn’t enjoy our friends and the outdoors without trying to kill an animal using the laziest tactics out there.

Zach Alexander

Orrington

Businesses, workers benefit from bear hunt

I am writing this letter that hopefully in a small way I can help inform the people of the great state of Maine of just what many people believe is at stake in regards to the referendum that will determine the manner in which bears will be hunted and trapped in Maine. I have hunted in Maine for many years and always look forward to my trips.

My wife and I have met many people from around the world and have made many friends. All of these people spend a great deal of money traveling to Maine for the opportunity of hunting with the foremost guides in a terrain which lends itself to very few options to the manner in which hunting can be conducted.

All of the hunters I have had the pleasure to meet also frequent many local restaurants, grocery stores, and sporting goods stores such as the Kittery Trading Post, and L.L. Bean.

From my personal experience with Wayne Bosowize of Foggy Mountain Guide Service, I know he hires many very qualified guides and support staff who are residents of Maine. Wayne also sublets many beautiful camps that are paid for out of the fees charged to the hunters and whose owners in turn hire local people to clean and prepare the camps each week.

The money paid to the guides makes its way throughout the community and over the years I have noticed small cottage businesses which are taking advantage of the traffic of sportsmen from around the world who take their products home to their friends and relatives.

I am not a wildlife biologist or an economist or am not out to tell Maine residents how they should vote. What I want is to make sure that my many friends in Maine who rely on responsible sportsmen for their businesses to succeed are given a fair chance to do so. I am providing a list of expenses for my September 2003 bear hunt.

Guide fee: $1,595; big game licenses: $90; bear permit: $70; fishing license: $39; tips: $400; taxidermy: $1,200; wife’s expenses (non-hunter); $240; rental car: $150; fuel: $200; groceries: $200; restaurants: $300; Kittery Trading Post: $300; lobsters: $150; LL Bean’s: $100.

My wife’s antique shopping and souvenirs also totaled $2,000 – a yearly ritual and not uncommon among the wives who do not hunt.

Our total expenses: $7,044.

These are all expenses incurred in Maine and do not reflect the cost of travel to and from Maine.

George Thode

Bridgewater, N.J.