For decades, bow-hunting was a test of my husband’s finely honed archery skills in exchange for winter stews.

Today I’m horrified by the indefensible treatment of bears in our woods. We aren’t allowed to trap deer or moose this way. Nor is it sportsmanlike to shoot a bear out of a tree.

This is cruelty, not hunting.

Maine’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department is one of two state wildlife agencies in the country to allow bear trapping.

Clearly there’s more to the story than what “our” wildlife biologists say.

My friend’s North Woods camp reeks of rotting pizza and doughnuts, as guides/outfitters dump millions of pounds there to “guarantee” kills for out-of-state trophy-hunters.

It’s only common sense that this high-calorie food just before winter is actually growing the bear population.

Considering the cruelty that trapping inflicts, and that baiting seems to increase bear numbers, I vote “yes” on Question 1.

Jennifer Comeau

Kennebunkport

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