Dear Editor:

If you have an unshakable belief in anything, no amount of evidence (or lack of evidence) can convince you otherwise. And so it goes with the debate over fair bear hunting.

In November, we Mainers will be asked to vote on the issue of banning three specific methods used to facilitate the hunt of the state’s iconic black bear; baiting, hounding and trapping. This issue is on the ballot because over 78,000 Maine people followed their consciences and signed petitions because they thought that was the right thing to do.

The ballot question will read: “Do you want to ban the use of bait, dogs or traps in bear hunting, except to protect property, public safety or for research?”

Note the last portion of the wording. The question really is a simple one with an equally simple answer; are you for fair bear hunting (a YES vote) or are you against fair bear hunting (a NO vote)?

Sarah Strouss

Boothbay