Your Voice: Say No To Question One

Question 1 on the Maine state ballot asks "Do you want to ban the use of bait, dogs or traps in bear hunting except to protect property, public safety, or for research?"

Black Bears are Maine's largest predators. The population is estimated at between 22,000 and 23,000. Maine's black bear range covers about 86% of the state's land areas. The state of Maine should vote no on question one for the November ballot, which would not put a ban on the use of bait, dogs and traps in bear hunting. These three methods of hunting bears account for 93 percent of the annual bear harvests, and are the most effective methods for controlling Maine's large bear population. There are plenty of factors that come into play with banning the top three ways to hunt bears in Maine. Such as, it keeps control on bears, it's economical and a way of life, as well as it is has been the traditional way to hunt for years.

Keeping the ban off of bear baiting, as well as the use of dogs and traps allows Maine to keep the bear population in check. The use of the three primary methods used while hunting bears in Maine, keeps the numbers of the bears controlled and monitored. By not banning the use of bait, dogs and traps for hunting bears, it allows scientists and wardens to track bear movements. By using these controlled methods for hunting, it sets up a safer more controlled environment, which protects the hunter.

Hunting bears has always been a way of life deep in tradition and family unity, it has been a way for families to provide the basic necessities that the meat from the bear can provide. Banning bear baiting and the use of dogs and traps would have a negative effect on Maine citizens. There are still families in Maine that count on the meat from the bears to eat, as well as to fill their freezers. Not only are families surviving on the meat to eat, itself, but they are also trying to make a living by selling the bear's meat and fur to make money. By banning the top three practices used to hunt bears, you are taking away the fundamentals of the families' right to earn a living. In today's world, most families cannot afford the exorbitant time it would take to hunt without the use of bait, dogs or traps.

Banning the most popular ways to hunt bears won't only affect residents who live in Maine, but the tourists who come to visit for the sole purpose of hunting and just being able to see bears. Adult bears habitats often encompass anywhere from 300-500 square miles area in Maine, in which Maine hunting tour guides could not cover the full radius during their guiding trips. The tourists that come to Maine for the bears often bring a lot of money to the area (businesses, hotels/lodging, restaurants, etc). Voting yes to question one, that puts restrictions on hunting bears, would mean loss of revenue in businesses, stores, and lodges that count on the hunting industry.

Oppositions to question one on the November ballot say that the practices of using bait, dogs and traps are inhumane. By eliminating these methods it would make hunting harder, therefore increasing the bear population, leading to overpopulation and a decreased food supply for the bears. Would starving to death be a more inhumane option for the bears as well? I believe this would be a long drawn out death for the bear.

In conclusion, a no vote means continued economic success in Maine, a continuation of family tradition, and a safer environment for everyone in the state of Maine.