AUGUSTA (AP) – Several bills that sought to change Maine’s bear-hunting regulations by restricting baiting and use of dogs or traps have been killed by a legislative committee, but the issue has not been put to rest.

The Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife voted Tuesday to reject the bills, which were up for a public hearing last week. Panelists agreed that it was not appropriate to pass new restrictions so soon after voters have spoken on the issue.

“But the committee did feel that there are improvements that can be made” in the management of Maine’s bear population, Sen. Bruce Bryant, D-Dixfield, the co-chairman of the fish and game committee, said Wednesday.

Last November, voters rejected an initiated referendum proposal to ban hounding, trapping and baiting bears.

Robert Fisk Jr., the Maine Friends of Animals president who led last fall’s bear referendum campaign, said he sees the committee’s action as a step forward.

“This is the first indication that the other side is willing to engage us on these issues,” Fisk said.