For weeks now, the Sun Journal’s readers have been blasted with half truths, threats, propaganda and general fear mongering from V. Paul Reynolds concerning the upcoming bear referendum.

First, let me say that one of the real outdoor tradition of this state is hunting, not baiting. Big time commercial bear baiting has only existed for about 20 years. Dogs with radio tracking collars are not tradition; they are a modern shortcut to easy money to “guides” who forgot the meaning of the word. Shooting trapped bears speaks for itself.

The PAC calling itself the Fish and Wildlife Council has accrued out-of-state funding in access of $100,000. SAM’s last report put their out-of-state donations at 50 percent. There are plenty of out-of-state bucks on both sides, but Mainers put the referendum on the ballot and only they will vote on it.

Reynolds loves the-end-to-all-hunting rhetoric, yet he will not mention that hunting has actually been strengthened everywhere this referendum has passed.

Oregon and Washington have bear herds greater than ours and both used to allow baiting and hounding of bears. Their laws changed 10 and eight years ago after successful referendums. Bear kills have remained equitable, populations stable and hunting is thriving.

Reynolds and the major players against this referendum speak solely on these scare tactics and avoid the issue. They are happy with their commercial lock on a public resource.

Cecil Gray, Bingham

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