PORTAGE LAKE, Maine — Town officials joined their municipal counterparts in Millinocket by announcing their opposition to Maine Referendum Question 1 which seeks to ban three forms of bear hunting: baiting, hunting with dogs and trapping.
A resolution signed Aug. 20 bore the signatures of Selectmen David Pierce, Daniel C. Higgins and Barry Kenney, making public their opposition to the referendum.
The resolve notes the impact banning the three forms of bear hunting would have on the state:
• Without effective hunting methods, the bear population — estimated at over 30,000 — will dramatically increase;
• Moneys expended during the hunting season in Maine are a local and state-wide economic boost. The small communities in rural Maine cannot afford to lose more jobs and businesses that depend on the bear hunt for a source of income;
• The Portage Lake Board of Selectpersons agrees that Referendum Question 1 would cripple Maine’s ability to manage its bear population as evidenced by the statistical data showing that the use of bait, hounds and traps are the most effective hunting methods that best control the (bear) population. The town selectpersons believe that passage of Question 1 would compromise the safety of the citizens with a potential increase in human-bear interactions; and
• The town selectpersons wish to support the Maine Wildlife Conservation Council, Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife biologists and Maine game wardens in their efforts to defeat Question 1.
“We are so pleased that yet another municipality has decided to formally oppose Question 1. Question 1 would hurt hundreds of small businesses (guides and outfitters, as well as the associated businesses that support them), and undermines 40 years of scientific research at the DIFW that concludes these three methods of hunting are vital to controlling Maine’s large bear population,” said James Cote, manager for the No on 1 campaign. “We encourage all municipalities to learn about the science behind these three methods and the nationally-recognized bear management program at the DIFW.”
“The bottom line is that long after the proponents of this legislation decamp to Washington, D.C., Maine people and local leaders would have to assume the burden and cost of dealing with an out-of-control bear population. That’s not what we want for Maine people and that’s not the way we think bears should be managed. Let’s leave the management of Maine’s healthy bear population to the nationally-recognized bear biologists and game wardens at the DIFW,” said Cote.
Portage Lake has several businesses which would be impacted, if Question 1 passes. The community is home to taxidermists, Maine guides, a motel, convenience store and more that would be negatively affected by the loss of these forms of bear hunting.