The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) has been trying (I’m not sure how hard) to find ways to reduce the overblown black bear population in much of the State of Maine. During the debate that surrounded the last assault by animal rights groups to eliminate bear hunting, the MDIFW repeatedly told Maine voters that Maine had too many bears and it was causing a problem…including a public safety issue.
Voters must have understood and agreed that hunting was the best way to manage and control game populations and for the second time, they voted down a referendum to end bear hunting. Evidently the Maine Legislature had their heads inserted deep into regions of darkness and smelly air.
Proposed bills that would have taken steps to reduce bear populations, were either shot down by the legislature or postponed. In essence, nothing has changed and Maine will continue to be pestered by nuisance bears…such as the one in the picture below taken by my next door neighbor.
I wonder if the Maine Legislature is now liable for serious injury or death to the public by bear by refusing to take action?
