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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Al Althenn of China, ME
May 11, 2007 7:34 AM
Bear trapping is not a sport but a way a few greedy trappers can get their hands on illegal money from customers in mainland China who consider bear parts such as the bad tasting gall bladder, a substitute for Viagra. Chinese think if it comes from a big tough animal and tastes badly it will make them fertile and bigger men in the bedroom. There is a huge market for bear gals in much of the orient ( they also eat Tiger penis), This is why America, and the world, has the laws it has that try to stop the trade in wild animal parts.

If we don’t enforce these laws Chinese market demand will kill every large animal they consider an aphrodisiac.

The Maine department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife have done little to stop the trade in Bear parts to China while using their position of trust to promote ways of catching and killing Maine black bears efficiently. Their position supports the people they are trusted to license and regulate to kill bears.

Don’t be taken in, when there is money involved there will be corruption.

Why did IFW put so many resources into promoting this practice by attempting to kill the bill at the hearing if as they allege only 130 bears a year were taken this way? Who are they kidding? Why, if IFW simply weren’t assuming Maine voters were naive enough to believe it’s position was honest and truthful did they go to such lengths to support this inhumane practice that does nothing more than efficiently kill and sell bear parts to the Asian market?

Who does IFW think they are kidding when they bring out their biggest “guns” to kill this bill if IFW wasn’t on the take in some way? Maine people are good people, but Maine voters have a lot to learn about the methods and motives of the State agencies they pay to tell them the truth.

Tell the legislature you are not stupid enough to be taken in by IFW and it’s scheme to promote a fast money scam to kill Maine black bears as “traditional hunting”. Outlaw bear trapping.
report abuse
Brian of West Gardiner, ME
May 11, 2007 8:17 AM
Bear hunting laws are working fine, leave it alone. If you want to save bears, move to Cananda. Leave us alone and mind your own business!report abuse
chromedome of China, ME
May 11, 2007 8:24 AM
Brian of West Gardiner, ME
Al Althen put his name on his comments, where is yours?report abuse
dude of chelsea, ME
May 11, 2007 8:35 AM
I have many friends who hunt bear .none of them trap, they do however bait which is the only effective means of baging a bear they are not dumb you cant get one tramping through thick underbrush.the anti hunting lobby would have you belive other wise. there true angender is to outlaw ALL hunting in maine, some even want to out law fishing.give them an inch they will take more than a mile. they will take everything.its not about whats right its about power. report abuse

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