When was the last death in Maine from a bear mauling? None in the recorded history, according to the Portland Press Herald.

How many moose and deer have been hit by vehicles and people have been killed? Maybe we should start baiting moose and deer, so we can control the population.

The way that bear are hunted in Maine is cruel and archaic. Sitting in a tree over a pile on doughnuts and recycled cooking fat, waiting for a bear to be lured in by the garbage, so they can shoot it from a safe distance is disgusting. Hunting bear with dogs is equally inhumane. Trapping a bear is not any better.

We are the only state that still allows this. How come?

The people of Maine need to know the facts. These ads by the game wardens and biologists are nothing more that scare tactics. The game wardens and biologists should stay out of the fray. Who’s paying for all those expensive ads?

I’ve hunted and fished in Maine for 55 years and was a backcountry ranger in Baxter State Park for four years. Bear are not hunted in most of the park. The bear that I have been lucky enough to see have all been running away from me.

Thomas Lohnes

China Village