It seems some Mainers have forgotten our distinct heritage of humane traditions, as years of unsporting hunting practices have erased that memory.

It wasn’t always the case that Maine’s black bears were reduced to “trophy hunting” targets while treed, trapped or being fed. Maine was the very first state to adopt an anti-cruelty law concerning animals. Maine has a history of valuing fair chase, giving an animal a chance to escape. This is the spirit of traditional hunting: fair chase.

It only takes the tiniest bit of vision to see what finally banning the most egregious, unsporting practices for hunting our Maine black bears will do to restore our leadership role as conscientious caretakers of all Maine wildlife.

Thanks to the coalition of animal welfare organizations, wildlife organizations, veterinarians, independent biologists, traditional hunters and compassionate Maine citizens statewide, we have an opportunity to set an example for our children today.

Gina Stoll

Portland

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