Regarding bear baiting:

One letter writer opined that state biologists and wardens have, over decades, shown that baiting bruin is the best way to control the bear population (“Let Maine’s biologists, wardens manage state’s bear population,” Aug. 14). I beg to differ.

I’m 96 and remember what it was like before the present despicable, cold-blooded law of killing bruin while they ate baited food took effect.

Back then, bears were terrified of humans and seldom were any bears seen looking for food around campsites, camps, farms or city dwellings, for they had learned that they would be killed or wounded if they got too close.

In short, we’ve got to go back to a hunting system that worked well. Get rid of all bear baiting, control the bear population through hunting and let the hunter return home feeling like a sportsman because he gave his prey a fair chance at survival!

Philip E. Kennard

Windham

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