Maine to vote on limiting bear hunters to 'fair chase'

AUGUSTA, Maine, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- Bears in Maine could get a break if voters approve a referendum that would ban hunters from using bait barrels to lure the animals.

The measure sponsored by Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting would also bar the use of leg traps and dog packs. Hunters would be limited to stalking bears without anything to lure them.

The issue is a hot one because Maine has a population of about 30,000 black bears and their numbers appear to be rising. State biologists, who oppose the referendum, say that hunting is crucial to keeping their numbers down.

Katie Hansberry, an advocate for the ban, believes that baiting, trapping and dog hunting are cruel.

"Maine is the only one that allows all three of these cruel and unfair practices. It's a black mark on our state," she told National Geographic.

But she also argues that setting out barrels full of old donuts, molasses and other treats is bad animal management. One cardinal rule for avoiding difficult encounters between people and wildlife is to avoid feeding the animals so they do not learn to associate humans with food.

Randy Cross, a biologist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, said that if hunters do not kill between 3,000 and 4,500 bears a year their increased numbers will lead to many becoming emaciated from lack of food.

"That's not what people want to see," Cross said.

Andy Timmins, a state biologist in neighboring New Hampshire, said Fish and Game is keeping an eye on the Maine vote. New Hampshire allows baiting.

"A lot of people travel to Maine to hunt bears over bait from all over the country," he said. "We could become that destination spot."

An influx of bear-hunting tourists could cause problems, Timmins said, because New Hampshire's season and other regulations are aimed at keeping its bear population stable.