For over a quarter century, I have carried a thought into each new year. It started in the 1980s, when David Allen (no relation) worked as the executive director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine.

It’s a good message now, as controversies in the Legislature begin to heat up and escalate through late spring. And yes, the story perfectly illustrates how self-absorbed and arrogant some Maine sports folks can be about political issues dealing with outdoor topics.

Recalling the anecdote reminds me to listen to the opposition without thinking I know all the questions and possess all the answers. In short, I may disagree with folks, but at least I can understand my challengers’ positions.

Most importantly, when my articles oppose a group, it’s important to respect the other side. When not following that rule, I usually regret it.

In the early 1980s, the incident with Allen indeed made a huge impression. SAM had 15,000 members then, and according to a survey, most of them approved of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s revolutionary proposal to start an any-deer permit system.

Allen had seen the figures and listened to individual members push for or against any-deer permits, including guides and IFW wildlife biologists. Without doubt, the any-deer permit supporters contacting Allen expressed the thoughts of thousands in the survey.

Here’s the part that showed me destructive behavior:

An acquaintance — a guide — called Allen. This was in the era before telephone deregulation, when calls could run 80 cents a minute, and more. While trying to convince Allen of the evils of the permit system, the man ran up a $25 phone bill, give or take a couple dollars.

The telephone call ended with Allen holding steadfastly to pushing the any-deer permit system, and why not?

Allen knew from conversations with dues-paying members, deer-management professionals and hunting experts that any-deer proponents had an excellent grasp of the controversy. They preferred this management tool.

The fact that the 30-minute conversation didn’t dissuade Allen to abolish SAM’s stand in favor of any-deer permits angered the phone caller, who damned Allen for years, sort of shocking me.

It’s possible that a single phone call might alter a controversial, well-discussed stand, but such a change is rare. For someone to throw a hissy fit because he thinks he knows the definitive poop on a topic smacks of arrogance.

This state’s outdoor politics attract myriad people with definitive answers, people who reject compromise. Worse yet, their ideas are unworkable because they haven’t convinced a majority. After all, whether folks like it or not, we live in a democracy where the majority rules.

Any-deer permits have indeed worked. In Maine’s bottom half, where woodcutters haven’t destroyed wintering habitat, this system has brought deer back multiple times whenever a severe winter decreases the herd.

Not to belabor this point, but here’s an example that pokes fun at one of my misguided stands:

I feel certain that if our IFW took all our truly quality salmonid waters and made them artificial lures only (ALO) and catch and release (C&R), then we’d have a dynamite trout and salmon fishery within two years. That resource would draw huge numbers of angling tourists.

The reality? My plan has limited support right now.

ALO and C&R would infuriate general anglers, who would inevitably break the law anyway, as people have through history when authorities push an unwanted program down their throats without paving the way first. Resident license sales would plummet, creating financial hardship at IFW.

Maine fishing-license numbers have decreased over the long term, already hurting the department. My plan would really kill revenues.

My idea would create an unbelievable hardship on folks who depend on selling bait, a thriving Maine industry that supports lots of people, including convenience stores that sell baitfish and worms.

In a nutshell, this niche economy helps more than just bait dealers. It benefits folks who have never fished in their lives.

My ALO and C&R ideas may be great for the resource and perhaps tourism, but quality fishing advocates haven’t convinced enough Mainers to make the transition smoother. It may happen eventually, but not in my lifetime.

Activists fail when they don’t understand the importance of educating the opposition to bring them to their side in the debate. Examples of people who haven’t grasped this rule fill this state.

This 11th commandment didn’t make it on Moses’ original tablet because of lack of room, but it’s crucial.

“Respect thy opponent and understand his or her views.”

Such a rule paves the proverbial road to successful conversions, but it takes time.

Ken Allen of Belgrade Lakes is a writer, editor and photographer. He can be contacted at:

KAllyn800@yahoo.com

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