The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is currently gathering signatures for a ballot referendum to ban bear hunting in Maine by hounding, trapping and baiting. In 2004, HSUS tried to restrict the Maine bear hunt with a ballot question very similar to the one they are proposing now; that year, Mainers voted “”No”” and rejected the HSUS anti-hunting campaign. Now HSUS is back in Maine, soliciting signatures to force the issue onto the 2014 statewide ballot. Over the next several weeks, they’re holding organizational meetings around the state.
In response, the sportsmen’s community has mobilized to form a broad-based, diverse and impressive coalition that has come together to fight against this anti-hunting initiative. Included in the list of supporters for this coalition are all four Co-Chairs of the bipartisan and bicameral Maine Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus – Senators Troy Jackson and Tom Saviello, and Representatives Michael Shaw and Steve Wood. The Caucus leaders are joined by 72 other Maine legislators; additionally, all three official candidates for Governor – including current Governor Paul LePage – six Maine candidates for seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, and over 20 organizations have endorsed the sportsmen-based coalition.
To learn more about this coalition, and to get involved, read this article in the Bangor Daily News, or visit their website here. For additional information on this issue, read this insightful op-ed penned by Maine Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus member, Representative Ellie Espling.
Please help spread the word to fellow hunters, shooters, family and friends that Maine bear hunting as we know it is under attack, and make sure they all know not to sign the HSUS petitions.
For more information on this issue, contact Brent Miller at brent@sportsmenslink.org.
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?
