A year ago, as a battle about Maine’s bear-hunting future raged around them, camouflage-clad hunters flocked to some of the state’s smallest towns and began asking each other the same grim questions.

Is this the last time we’ll be able to do this? Is this the last time I’ll see my once-a-year bear-hunting buddies … my bear guide … this place I’ve grown to love?

A few months later, they received their answer from Maine voters: No. It won’t.

In November, Maine’s voters supported the practices of hunting bears over bait (the predominant method used in the Maine woods), as well as trapping and hunting with hounds.

In most of the state, debate on those issues was (pick one) fervent, well reasoned, emotional, or scientific. It was also, in most cases, detached, as many Mainers were forced to choose sides on an issue they’d never even considered before.

But in the state’s far-flung bear hunting hamlets, it was different. The question wasn’t theoretical. It was personal. Bear hunting paid the bills. Bear hunters fueled the economy. And bear hunters were welcome.

Earlier this week, the hunters returned, and the guides were ready. The frenzied, politically charged atmosphere of a year ago was gone. And instead of talking about voters and campaigns and fund raising, the top topic of conversation was simply bears.

That was OK with Mike Hubbard, the owner of Buckstop Camp in Allagash.

“I’m glad we defeated the referendum last year,” said Hubbard, a Virginia native who bought Buckstop six years ago. “It was close. I’ll tell you what. It would have devastated this state.”

It was close. And even in Allagash, where former loggers have taken to guiding bear hunters as the forest products industry changed over the years, there were some who felt a change in bear hunting was warranted. Hubbard remembers and shakes his head.

“There were 28 people in this town that voted the hunting out,” Hubbard said.

A year ago, outfitters were full and hunters were in evidence all across Aroostook County. This year, without the sense of urgency injected into the season by last year’s looming election, the atmosphere is different.

Hubbard said his reservations for this year have dropped.

“I’m way down [this year],” he said. “The most I hunt ever is 20 hunters a week on bait hunts. I had 18 this week and I’ve got six for next week.”

Bear hunters typically pay for a weeklong hunt. They arrive in town on Saturday or Sunday, then spend six days (Monday through Saturday) hunting.

Hubbard said the frenzied pace of 2004 may have taken its toll this year.

“I think a lot of it’s to do with maybe last year a lot of people said, maybe this will be the last year, and we had a lot of hunters last year,” Hubbard said. ‘This year we’re down, and I’ve been talking to a lot of other people and they’re down.”

But that’s only a piece of the equation, Hubbard said.

Another piece: Fuel prices.

“I think the high gas prices [affects the number of hunters this year],” he said. “Most of the boys I get come from Virginia, and it costs ’em about $500 round trip to drive up and back. That’s a whole lot of money.”

That cost also affects the outfitters, Hubbard said. Baiting bear is a labor- (and mileage-) intensive job, and you don’t get to where the bears are without putting a lot of dirt beneath your tires.

Hubbard said he has already spent $2,500 on gas since the beginning of baiting season.

Over at Allagash Wildlife Sporting Camps, things are different for owner Bobby Hafford.

Hafford, who has been guiding for the last 18 years, is preparing for a huge season.

“I’ve got more people this year than I’ve ever had,” said Hafford, who has 22 hunters in camp this week and is expecting 30 more for the second week.

His secret is simple.

“The reason [for the increase] is I put a lot of money into advertising, in Pennsylvania and Mass., New York, all over,” Hafford said.

Hafford said a few of his hunters have backed out of their hunts, and he suspects gas prices are to blame.

Still, Hafford and Hubbard said, bear hunting is a cyclical event. Some hunters come each year. Others save up their money and book trips more sporadically. The result: Each year the guides welcome many men they’ve become friends with, and several more who are heading to Allagash for the first time.

“I have guys who have been here off and on for 18 years. I’ve had guys who’ve come 10, 11 years,” Hafford said. “You have a lot of fun. No matter how good you get to know ’em, it’s always fun. It’s a good time. Everybody playing tricks on one another.”

And this year, with no referendum looming, with the future of bear hunting secure (for now), the good times are the key. The atmosphere is more relaxed. And Bobby Hafford is still grinning … and foiling the pranks of his hunters.

Or so he says.

“They have a hard time getting ahead of me,” Hafford said with a chuckle … and a quick glance over his shoulder, just in case.

John Holyoke can be reached at jholyoke@bangordailynews.net or by calling 990-8214 or 1-800-3100-8600.