Last Thursday, lots of folks showed up to protest the proposal to allow Sunday hunting.

Hunter James Nichols of Augusta exhibited a flair for the dramatic as he expressed his fear that landowners would post their land if Sunday hunting passed. At one point, Nichols was waving his arms and preaching loudly, until Appropriations Committee co-chair Sen. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, banged her gavel to tame him.

Others, like Arnold Woolf of Lewiston, wrote to legislators about their objections. Woolf said he’s against Sunday hunting because, as a dog owner and trainer, Sunday is a day he can take his dogs in the woods or fields without worry.

Maybe Woolf and Nichols didn’t realize that George Smith of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine and Gov. John Baldacci had already worked out a deal. At least that’s the way Smith portrayed it at that same hearing.

Smith praised Baldacci for his wisdom and courage in agreeing to a SAM offer: Sunday hunting in exchange for higher licensing and registration fees on sportsmen. Smith said he gave Baldacci a list of the things SAM wanted, and they ultimately agreed on the exchange.

Now, SAM is a powerful group. But there were lots of other sportsmen at the hearing who were objecting to the Smith-Baldacci deal: the Maine Snowmobile Association, the Maine Professional Guides Association, the Maine Trappers Association, the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine, bow hunters, farmers and, by Smith’s own admission, about one-third of SAM’s members – including Nichols.

Smith warned that if Sunday hunting is not approved – and if the additional income anticipated from Sunday hunting does not go into state coffers – the Department of Inland, Fisheries and Wildlife’s budget is in big trouble.

When asked by Rep. Stephen Bowen, R-Rockport, whether Sunday hunting should be decided in by voters in a referendum, Smith, often sounding like the Legislature’s 187th lawmaker, said he didn’t see the need for that.

Bikers to roll in

Speaking of groups with clout, members of the United Bikers of Maine are expected to oppose a bill to bring back the mandatory helmet law.

Maine required helmets from 1983 through 1993, but the bikers’ group lobbying helped repeal it. Practically ever since, Maine governors have been motorcycle fans.

Mac McCreary of United Bikers of Maine said his organization is not anti-helmet, but it is against mandatory helmet laws. The group’s members have been distributing copies of the proposed legislation on bright orange paper, with the additional words: “Urge your legislator to vote NO on this bill, L.D. 172.”

The hearing is 1 p.m. Tuesday before the Transportation Committee, Room 126 of the State House.

O Canada’ in Augusta

Before the House got to work Thursday morning, some members were surprised to hear someone singing the Canadian national anthem.

The singing in both French and English was by Maurice “Mo” Morin, who stood at the front of the chamber in a black tuxedo. Morin followed that by singing America’s national song.

House Speaker John Richardson, D-Brunswick, thanked Morin and introduced him as a WWII veteran, a retired Auburn police officer and the singing voice for the Lewiston Maineiacs hockey team.

“You now understand why he sang both the Canadian national anthem and the American national anthem,” Richardson said.

House members gave Morin a standing ovation.

Quote of the week: “Tell our Gov. Baldacci, George Smith and SAM members they can go to New Hampshire and hunt. Maine Sundays are not for sale.” – Gail Roberts of Turner

Bonnie Washuk is a State House reporter for the Sun Journal.