BC-ME-ELN–Bear Baiting, Bjt,250

Big-money campaign on bear hunting ends with vote

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By RYAN LENZ

Associated Press Writer

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) – After months of debate that divided hunters and animal rights activists, Mainers went to the polls Tuesday to decide whether to outlaw the use of bait, traps or dogs in hunting bears.

The voting marked the end of a spirited and expensive referendum campaign in Maine, which has the biggest black bear population east of the Mississippi.

Campaign spending was expected to top $2 million. Polls before the election showed a majority of Mainers rejecting the proposal.

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Supporters and opponents intensified TV advertisements in the final days of a campaign that played upon people’s fears of bears and contempt for hunting techniques viewed as unsportsmanlike.

Activists pushing for the ban painted a picture of out-of-state trophy hunters luring bears with bait buckets filled with stale jelly doughnuts and then shooting or trapping the helpless bears.

Opponents warned of a proliferating bear population that posed a danger to suburban neighborhoods. They also pointed to a loss of revenues for hunting camps if the measure passed.

Bear hunting is allowed in 28 states. Going into Election Day, 11 allowed baiting and 17 allowed hunters to use dogs.

Maine, with a bear population now estimated at 23,000, was the only state to allow hunters to use bait, dogs and traps.

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