Re: [Maine-birds] That bear thing

I for one will vote yes on this referendum.   It's an insult to every non-hunter to say that only hunters should be able to weigh in on or have a say on this topic.

 

"According to a 2001 report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, wildlife watchers in Maine outnumbered hunters by nearly five to one and the money spent by wildlife watchers was more than double the amount spent by hunters. In spite of the fact that nonhunters outnumber hunters in Maine by nearly 10 to one, nonconsumptive users have no real say in how our fish and wildlife resources are managed."

 

http://archive.bangordailynews.com/2007/06/18/the-winds-of-change-are-blowing-for-ifw/

 

I would guess that the ratio of nonhunters to hunters has even increased since then, meaning that birders and other noncomsumptive outdoor resources probably spend even more money in our state than the above ratio.

 

I urge everyone who plans to vote on this issue to read the above article from 2007, as it's very timely and provides information about previous questionable stances taken by our department of IF&W.   And there's nothing wrong, in my opinion, with allowing emotion to weigh in on how one votes, since cruelty is part of this debate.

 

Sean Smith

 

From: Bruce Bartrug

Sent: Saturday, October 04, 2014 6:37 PM

To: maine-birds@googlegroups.com

Subject: [Maine-birds] That bear thing

 

One final note on the bear issue, from a non-emotional standpoint.......right before I change my phone number, email address, and hire an armed guard :):).

I don't remember hearing any rational debate on this issue from either side.  For one thing, how many bears are killed this way in Maine?  As far as being inhumane, I would basically agree with that.  But it's not any more inhumane than buying beef raised in a corn-fed cattle feed lot. 

This referendum was brought to Maine from an out-of-state animal protective group.  Fine.  But it bothers me that well-meaning individuals in southern Maine might vote to affect the livelihoods of others living up-country. 

Too, it's important to keep northern Mainers in some sympathy with the environmental movement, as their support is needed on much more important, and more "global," issues.  To pass this referendum would alienate a lot of northern Mainers, not because they bait bears, but because "southern Mainers are telling us what to do again."

It would be best if this issue were brought before the Maine legislature by Maine hunters, some of whom, for instance, might feel baiting bears is tainting their sport.  Then there would at least be some rational discussion about the issue.  Of course, bears can't talk, but if they could it would make little difference to them if they were killed at a bait stand or from a tree stand. 

I feel this is minefield that should be walked around, at least for the present.

Just my 0.15 Euros.

No death threats, please.  :)  

--
Bruce Bartrug
Nobleboro, Maine, USA
bbartrug@gmail.com
www.brucebartrug.com

The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.  - Albert Einstein

--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.