Groups behind a controversial measure to ban bear trapping in Maine haven’t quite given up their fight, despite a recent 11-1 committee vote against the measure.

Earlier this month, the Wildlife Alliance of Maine attempted to build public support for a ban by posting a satirical video on the Internet phenomenon YouTube.com. In the wake of the overwhelming committee vote against the group’s bill, the group has posted a new, more graphic video on the Web site showing several scenes of bears caught in traps.

While the first bear-trapping spoof has attracted more than 2,800 viewers, the second real-life video had yet to surpass 200 viewers as of Thursday after several days on the site. YouTube.com is the Web’s leading destination for original, often homemade video clips.

Daryl DeJoy, executive director of WAM, offered this explanation for the low viewer figures: “I think a lot of people don’t want to see it.”

About 200 people attended a public hearing last week on the bill, LD 1635, to ban recreational bear trapping in the state. Bill supporters urged the Legislature’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee to end Maine’s distinction as the only state in the nation to allow bear trapping for sport.

But the vast majority of the crowd at the hearing were trapping supporters, who defended modern recreational bear trapping with leg-hold cables as an acceptable, humane part of Maine’s outdoor heritage. Opponents also predicted the bill was a first step to more restrictions on trapping and hunting.

Several days later, the committee voted 11-1 to reject the bill, sponsored by Rep. James Schatz, a Blue Hill Democrat. The sole vote in support of the bill came from Rep. Jane Eberle, a South Portland Democrat.

Lawmakers discussed the bill in partisan caucus meetings Thursday. The bill is tentatively scheduled to be taken up in the House on Tuesday, said Travis Kennedy, spokesman for House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven.

DeJoy and other bill supporters have threatened to initiate a bear-trapping referendum if the measure fails in the Legislature. Maine voters rejected a broader voter ballot question in 2004 that would have banned not only bear trapping but also hunting bear over bait and with the use of dogs.

Schatz’s bill would continue to allow bear trapping for research, nuisance animal control or public safety.