GuidesForHire
11-18-2003, 03:13 PM
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife
Bear Hunting Referendum
June 11, 2003
Issue:
The Humane Society and Maine Friends of Animals are laying the groundwork for a
statewide referendum to change the way bears are hunted in Maine. They have formed
a political action committee called Maine Citizens for Fair Bear Hunting and are seeking
to ban the taking of bears over bait, with hounds, and by trapping.
Position of the Department:
Maine’s wildlife is a public trust resource, which means no one can own them and they
must be held in trust for all Maine’s residents. The Department has been mandated in
statute to:
° Preserve, protect and enhance fish and wildlife resources of the state
° Encourage the wise use of these resources
° Ensure coordinated planning for these resources
° Provide for effective management of these resources
The proposed referendum to limit methods of take for bear threatens the Department’s
ability to meet these mandates by:
° Compromising the Department’s ability to effectively manage bears by
eliminating critical management tools
° Discouraging the wise use of the bear resource by eliminating traditional,
time-tested harvest methods
MDIFW’s bear management program is based on extensive collection of detailed
scientific data and structured, in-depth public involvement, and seeks to maintain the
long-term viability of the bear population, the needs of the species, the public and the
sportsmen of the State are balanced. This ensures a healthy bear population for
enjoyment by Maine’s citizens and visitors, minimal nuisance complaints, and a strong
economic contribution.
1
Bear Hunting Referendum
June 11, 2003
Issue:
The Humane Society and Maine Friends of Animals are laying the groundwork for a
statewide referendum to change the way bears are hunted in Maine. They have formed
a political action committee called Maine Citizens for Fair Bear Hunting and are seeking
to ban the taking of bears over bait, with hounds, and by trapping.
Position of the Department:
Maine’s wildlife is a public trust resource, which means no one can own them and they
must be held in trust for all Maine’s residents. The Department has been mandated in
statute to:
° Preserve, protect and enhance fish and wildlife resources of the state
° Encourage the wise use of these resources
° Ensure coordinated planning for these resources
° Provide for effective management of these resources
The proposed referendum to limit methods of take for bear threatens the Department’s
ability to meet these mandates by:
° Compromising the Department’s ability to effectively manage bears by
eliminating critical management tools
° Discouraging the wise use of the bear resource by eliminating traditional,
time-tested harvest methods
MDIFW’s bear management program is based on extensive collection of detailed
scientific data and structured, in-depth public involvement, and seeks to maintain the
long-term viability of the bear population, the needs of the species, the public and the
sportsmen of the State are balanced. This ensures a healthy bear population for
enjoyment by Maine’s citizens and visitors, minimal nuisance complaints, and a strong
economic contribution.
1