The recent case of an Ohio man who baited and killed a bear with a spear highlights just how unsporting the practice of baiting is.
Unfortunately, bears are also allowed to be lulled into a sense of false security in Maine as hunters were allowed to start placing high-calorie foods such as donuts, candy and meat in the woods to attract bears starting on July 30. Then after 30 days of luring bears to the piles of food, on Aug. 29 the baiting season opened and trophy hunters began cornering bears in basically their most vulnerable state and killing them.
Ethical hunting involves the concept of fair chase, where the hunter has to work for the kill. Baiting involves no such practice.
Baiting can also kill other animals besides bears. Some bait is made from waste candy containing the compound theobromine, which is toxic to dogs, coyotes, foxes, rabbits, hares and wild fowl and was recently documented as fatal to bears.
Baiting should not be classified as hunting, and should not be allowed to continue. Please urge your lawmakers to end this cruel and horrific practice in Maine once and for all.
Hope Cruser
Edgecomb
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