The battle lines have been drawn in Maine as sportsmen are working feverishly to defeat a ban on bear hunting with dogs, bait and bear trapping that is pending on the November ballot. For many, it is the fight of their life while for others, including U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA), it is simply déjà vu.
“We worked on this identical issue just 10 years ago,” said Evan Heusinkveld, USSA vice president of government affairs. “And just like a decade ago, the winner will be the one who gets their message through to the masses. When hunters prevailed in 2004 it took a tremendous amount of financial support and effort by sportsmen. This year will be no different.”
USSA is deeply involved having spent numerous hours of staff time to help organize sportsmen in Maine while also donating $90,000 to the fight. USSA’s involvement is critical given the strength of the opposition which has already dumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into Maine.
The front group pushing the ballot issue, “Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting,” is actually bankrolled by the Washington D.C. based Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the country’s largest anti-hunting organization. According to recentcampaign finance reports, HSUS contributed $750,000 directly to the campaign and an additional $98,000 of in-kind support. This accounts for roughly 99% of the funds raised so far.
When Mainers rejected a similar proposal in 2004, HSUS poured in $1 million dollars. This time, they are expected to more than double that amount. As such, sportsmen will need to redouble their efforts or risk losing a vital part of our heritage. Maine sportsmen are off to a great start, having matched the anti’s donations through a wide ranging coalition of New England sportsmen, guides, landowners, small businesses and more. However, the fight is a long way from being over.
“Sportsmen cannot afford to lose this fight because it will result in follow up attacks on other forms of hunting such as trapping or even bowhunting,” said Heusinkveld.”In the eastern United States, a loss in Maine means more attacks on bear hunting or hunting with dogs in states such as New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Maryland. The bottom line is this; if the anti’s can win in a sportsmen’s paradise like Maine, they can win anywhere.”
Take Action! Sportsmen across the country need to get involved in this fight! For information on making a contribution to protect bear hunting and trapping in Maine or to volunteer to help win this battle, call 614-888-4868.