In November of this year, there will be a vote to ban hunting of bears, which is known as the Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting Initiative.

Is this the right law for Maine?

This referendum is not about Maine or Mainers, but rather about out-of-state special interest groups that have no understanding or interest in our Maine heritage, culture, economy or history.

The Humane Society, which is supporting this bill, has spent over $750,000 on their campaign already. Not only that, they hired an independent company from California to gather signatures at a cost of $150,000. This is an organization that annually euthanizes between 3-4 million cats and dogs. That is about 80,000 animals a week. Their concern over the conservative and legally managed 3,207 bear harvests is both confusing and contradictory.

Maine has the largest black bear population of all the contiguous 48 states. It is closely monitored by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in conjunction with biologists from the University of Maine. The controlled harvest of bears each year has resulted in a managed population that, if not kept in check, could move into urban areas. In the last 10 years, the population of bears has risen from 26,000 to 31,000 with the present hunting laws.

If this bill passes, it will severely depress the economy of the northern part of the state, an area already hit hard by layoffs in the paper mills. Families there already struggle with a weak economy. This vote has the potential to force over 60 percent of the guide services to close, which would in turn impact other businesses ”“ restaurants, lodging, gas stations, butchers, farmers and grocery stores.

The question is: “Is this bill right for Maine?” Should we allow some faceless organization to damage our economy and change our cultural heritage, or should we keep Maine people employed and involved in the health of our local businesses and natural resources?

I ask the people of Maine to stand up and support our heritage and reject the interference of special interest groups, which have no legitimate standing in our state.

Michael A. Carrier Registered Maine Guide, Biddeford