Regarding the recent seminar on hunting ethics at the University of Maine given by Cornell University instructor Jim Tantillo (“Hunter: Ethics twist bear-bait debate,” BDN, Nov. 4), I applaud UMaine’s Department of Wildlife Ecology for sponsoring such a stimulating program.

However, as a UMaine alumnus, I am disappointed and embarrassed that Dr. Will LaPage, a UMaine professor, would use the editorial page (BDN, Nov. 12) to engage in an ad hominem attack on an invited speaker’s presumed ineffectiveness as a teacher. Even if Dr. LaPage knew anything about Dr. Tantillo’s teaching, I fail to see the relevance to issues of hunting ethics and civil liberties.

Andrew Weik

Hampden