Is hunting bears with dogs different from rabbit and raccoon hunting? Are they next on the anti-hunting agenda?

Baiting is the only way to determine if a bear has cubs or is harvestable. Instead, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is being challenged by the anti-hunts.

The IF&W outlawed steel traps for bears and removed bounties, which applied to bears of all ages.

Some organizations provide free hunting trips to disabled veterans. Wars have caused loss of limbs to heroic warriors. If those groups can’t bait, then it becomes out of the question.

One such group is HouseInTheWoods.org. It was founded by Gold Star families in memory of Sgts. Blair Emery and Joel House, both of whom made the ultimate sacrifice for us. The group is in Maine but serves veterans from all over the country.

House’s father received word from one of his clients that he has already recruited, on his own initiative, six disabled veterans for next year. So far, they have provided 400 free hunts for rehabilitating disabled veterans. A change in the law would deny those who have given so much the chance to enjoy things they had enjoyed before being injured.

The anti-hunts use the phrase “fair chase,” but they really don’t want hunting anywhere and are willing to spend millions of dollars to that end.

State biologists and game wardens are professional and dedicated. The lawsuit to muzzle the IF&W ought to tell the public all it needs to know.

Gary Anderson, retired

Search and Rescue cordinator, IF&W, Harpswell

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