Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Senior Coordinator
On December 16, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) Advisory Council convened for a virtual meeting to vote on the fate of the citizen-driven proposals to ban predator hunting contests and coyote trapping in the Pine Tree State. In both instances, motions were made and votes were cast almost immediately to unanimously support the MDIFW’s recommendations of rejecting the proposals – further asserting the right of sportsmen and women in Maine to continue with these pursuits.
Previously on October 5, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted a sign-on letter of opposition that garnered the support of 19 in-state and national sportsmen’s organizations/groups. A few weeks later, CSF provided oral testimony during a virtual hearing, asserting that fish and wildlife management decisions must be left under the capable, science-driven purview of the MDIFW.
Maine’s sporting community has been the recipient of numerous affronts throughout this year. In conjunction with the failed attempts to prohibit predator hunting contests and coyote trapping, another proposal sought to end the practice of bear baiting. As was previously reported, CSF was involved in fighting this petition, as well as submitting stand-alone testimony and a sign-on letter of opposition (which was supported by 17 other conservation organizations). CSF also testified during the MDIFW’s virtual hearing on July 8.
CSF would like to thank the many sportsmen and women, guides, Maine Sportsmen’s Advisory Council, conservation organizations, and outdoor industry partners who united to fight the anti-sportsmen’s community’s efforts throughout 2020.
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?
