By SUSAN M. COVER
Staff Writer Wednesday, May 9, 2007

"Please take one moment, and imagine what it would feel like to have your leg caught in a trap and be left struggling and crying out for hours or a day with no one to hear you," she told members of the Legislature's Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee.

The committee took testimony on both sides of the emotional issue as nearly 200 people packed a room at the Augusta Civic Center.

Hart and others argued that Maine should no longer allow bear trapping. Trappers argued it's a safe and effective way to kill bears.

Trappers -- who outnumbered those in support of the bill Tuesday -- view the legislation as an attack on a traditional way of life and an unnecessary measure that chips away at their rights.

"You've already heard all the reasons why the animal protectionists want you to ban bear trapping," said Skip Trask, who spoke on behalf of the Maine Professional Guides Association and the Maine Trappers Association. "Their agenda goes way beyond bear trapping, but they are focusing on bear trapping this session because it represents their best chance for success."

The committee is scheduled to vote on the bill Thursday. Depending on what they do, it may move forward to the House or the bill may be dead for the session. David Farmer, spokesman for Gov. John Baldacci, said the governor opposes the bill.

Rep. James Schatz, D-Blue Hill, said he sponsored the bill after talking with many sportsmen in his community.

"It became clear to me that this bill is not about hunting or traditional use," Schatz said. "It is about abolishing the use of a piece of trapping equipment that has been appropriately banned in every other state but Maine."

His bill, Legislative Document 1635, would ban recreational bear trapping in Maine, but would allow bears to be trapped for scientific research, animal damage control or public safety.

The measure comes three years after Maine voters rejected a citizen initiative that sought to ban three types of bear hunting -- using bait, hounds or traps. That failed in November 2004 by a 53-47 percent margin.

Those who support a ban on trapping say most Mainers make a distinction between trapping and other types of bear hunting.

"The state has not been given the opportunity yet to vote on this single activity, but if they are given that choice, I am quite sure they will vote against it," said Daryl DeJoy, executive director of the Wildlife Alliance of Maine, a group that advocates on behalf of wildlife and represents nonhunters who enjoy wildlife.

Committee member Rep. Tom Saviello, an independent from Wilton, asked DeJoy if he would collect signatures to initiate a citizen vote if lawmakers vote down the bill.

DeJoy didn't answer the question directly, but said: "I am determined to stop the practice of bear trapping in Maine."

Others interpret the 2004 vote results as support for all types of bear hunting, including trapping.

"In that vote, Maine people affirmed that this method was justified and acceptable," Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Danny Martin said.

The department, through Martin and Director of Resource Management Ken Elowe, offered many reasons why they oppose a ban on recreational bear trapping.

Martin said earlier this year that the department banned the use of the steel-jawed foothold trap for bears and limited trappers to cage-type live traps or cable foot snares. They also reduced the number of traps that trappers can use, from two to one.

Elowe said the traps currently allowed by law are the same ones used by bear researchers.

And, he said, trapping gives a hunter the chance to get off a clean shot so bears are killed quickly with little chance for wounding.

"It is our opinion that as long as the population is not at risk, the tools are the best that they can be, and the bear is taken cleanly, then trapping is an appropriate, sustainable activity," Elowe said.

Susan Cover -- 623-1056

scover@centralmaine.com