Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting

Katie Hansberry, Campaign Director for Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting, on WVOM's George Hale Ric Tyler Show. Listen to the show»

The bears in Maine eat better than those in most states, but it's not necessarily good for them.

Donuts, pizza and other tempting treats are commonly used by hunters in the Pine Tree State to bait the animals, luring them out of the woods and into an open area where they can be shot.

Though the practice is legal right now, that could change Tuesday, when voters weigh in on a proposition that would forbid bear baiting and two other popular hunting practices.

On Tuesday, Maine voters will decide how best to hunt the growing black bear population.

Depending on Maine legislators to take action overlooks their allegiance to the hunting community.

In “Our View: Bear-baiting case not made: We say ‘no on Question 1″ (Oct. 19), you wrongly conclude there’s no good argument for banning recreational bear baiting, hounding and trapping.

I spent the better part of the last 50 years in Jackman. My mother was born there in 1935. My grandfather was born there in 1893. When I was very young, bears were as common as any other wild animal. The trash dumps, the restaurant dumpsters were full of food, trash cans were allowed everywhere. Bears were a part of the town’s culture.

When I was 9, a moose attacked a car. When I was 18, a moose killed a person. When I was 26, a moose-car collision killed a young person from town. How many people have been killed in Maine by bears?

(Nov. 1, 2014) – Yes! On 1 released new online videos highlighting the indefensible practices that the IF&W are supporting – the cruel methods of trapping, baiting and hounding – and debunking the false scare tactics the opponents of Question 1 are using.

I’ve been involved in dozens of political campaigns around the country over two decades, and the brazen lies and scare tactics used by state officials working in collusion with the bear baiting, hounding, and trapping crowd in Maine are among the worst I’ve ever seen.