Panel rejects ban on traps
By SUSAN M. COVER
Staff Writer
Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel Friday, May 11, 2007

AUGUSTA -- A legislative committee voted 11-1 against a bill to ban bear trapping Thursday, putting the bill in a weak position as it heads to the House and Senate.

Rep. Jane Eberle, D-South Portland, was the lone holdout, voting in favor of the ban on recreational bear trapping. She said personally, and as a representative of southern Maine, she wanted to support the bill.

"There would still be ample hunting opportunity available," she said.

Although the bill will officially go forward for House and Senate consideration, such a strong committee vote against the measure means it will be an uphill battle. And Gov. John Baldacci has already said he does not support the measure.

The vote didn't faze bill supporter Daryl DeJoy, who said the members of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee don't represent the views of most Mainers. He's optimistic the House and Senate will feel differently.

"I'm pleased we have one representative on the committee who's capable of making an informed and impartial decision," said DeJoy, who leads the Wildlife Alliance of Maine, which works on behalf of wildlife and wildlife watchers.

Rep. James Schatz, D-Blue Hill, brought the bill forward earlier this week in front of a large crowd at the Augusta Civic Center. The bill 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 Nov. 2004 by a 53-47 percent margin.

Before voting against the trapping ban, Rep. Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, said he believes the voters spoke clearly on the issue in 2004.

"If you want to go for another referendum and you get it, that's fine," he said.

Supporters of the bill argued that although the citizen initiative failed, most Mainers oppose bear trapping.

Maine is the only state in the country to allow the practice.

Trappers and the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife said the methods used are effective and a humane way of killing bears. Each year, trappers kill about 130 bears, which is part of the approximately 3,800 bears taken by hunters and trappers.

The department said although trapping is not necessary to control the bear population, it continues to meet their criteria for a safe and ethical activity.

Sen. Walter Gooley, R-Farmington, said the department did change its rules following the 2004 vote to outlaw the steel jawed trap.

"The department has gone the extra mile in changing the rules," he said. "It's still a part of the overall bear management program in the state of Maine. I feel it should be continued."

Susan Cover -- 623-1056

scover@centralmaine.com


Reader comments

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BRIAN of Winslow, ME
May 11, 2007 9:43 PM
Just curious Cecile, Bill Randall keep saying what an accomplished guide you are. Does it involve hunting, fishing or some other activity. I can't seem to find any type of advertisment for your services. How do people contact you or is just through word of mouth?report abuse
Cecil Gray of bingham, ME
May 11, 2007 7:38 PM
Blackie does not have a clue, a 400 pound black bear does, and for a long time before your "clean" kill.report abuse
BRIAN of Winslow, ME
May 11, 2007 1:12 PM
When a trapper shoots a trapped bear they are not bear hunting...they are bear trapping. They caught their one bear they are allowed and shooting it is the most ethical humane way to dispatch the animal. Would you people feel better if they strangled the animal or hit it repeatedly in the head with a hammer?

Trappers don't trap bear to make it easier to shoot. Trapping is a procedure in itself and once caught the animal must be killed in the fastest means possible which is by gun.

Some who don't understand think hunters are trapping bear so that they can then walk up and shoot it. That is not the case. Trappers shoot bear so they can release it from the trap, carry it home and skin it. End of story.

Hunting and trapping are two different activities and are being confused by those who don't know the difference.

Trapping is no more inhumane to an animal than someone who raises blackie the cow in their back yard. Hand feeds it all summer and then leads it by leash to the back of a truck to be slaughtered, wrapped in plastic and consumed by the very people it trusted.

If you eat meat and hunting and trapping disgusts you you are a hypocrite
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Flint of Bass Harbor, ME
May 11, 2007 12:57 PM
Doesn't sound like there's really any reason TO keep bear trapping around. I know I don't believe it's sportsmanlike to do it. What kind a snare is the If&W caught up in to continue keeping something around outlawed in the rest of these United States?
I smell something fishy...
I say, go for it-so it's an "uphill battle"??? So what, worth fighting for, me and my buddies say.
End the bear trapping, you've got our votes. From what I hear,if they all will just SHOW UP, you got a majority of Maine voters on your side on this issue anyway. so hey, fight for it and get it on the ballot standing on it's own. us voters will do our part and turn out.
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