Two bills, both of which would severely restrict the types of tackle eligible for use by Maine anglers, were heard in Committee last Tuesday, February 5. LD 42 would prohibit the use of all artificial lures made from rubber, while LD 43 would specify that all hooks “must be made of a material that degrades or decomposes through a chemical or physical process” – eliminating all stainless steel, brass, and many other hooks commonly used by anglers.
At this time neither bill has been reported out of Committee, though a work session for the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is scheduled for Tuesday, February 19. There is still time to voice your opposition to these bills. Please contact members of the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and let your opinion be heard.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
