So, let’s get this straight. I just received a press release from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife seeking volunteers to help clean up trash, etc. on land owned by private individuals “to secure access to private land for recreational use and show your appreciation for Maine’s landowners.” Maybe licensed hunters and fishermen should seriously consider whether helping out the landowner who just screwed them over is in everyone’s best interest.
The Maine Legislature recently passed a bill, which unjustly targets licensed hunters and fishermen for extra punishment if caught harming signs and other private property. If you create the same damage and are not a licensed hunter or fishermen, there is no extra penalty for said crime.
One can understand the frustration of a landowner who is tired of replacing damaged signs or other property, but to specifically target one group is unlawful and until attention is brought to this travesty passed by the Maine Legislature, why should any licensed hunter or fisherman help out a landowner who just saw to it that you would get doubly screwed over for breaking the same law as an unlicensed person?
Sorry, landowners. I have always supported the rights of landowners and will continue to do so. I will not stand ignorantly by while I am unjustly targeted for extra criminal penalties for committing the same crime as an unlicensed person. Until that law is changed, and intelligent landowners step forward to change this law, licensed hunters should send a message.
But, they won’t!
