Maine sportsmen poised to defend bear hunt (1/9/2004)

After several failed attempts to ban bear hunting in Maine by legislative action, anti-hunters are preparing to end the hunt via the ballot box. Sportsmen have organized to fight back.

The National Bear Hunting Defense Task Force, organized by the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, is working with Sportsmen's Alliance of Maine (SAM) and other conservation organizations to defeat the anti-bear hunting voter initiative. Maine sportsmen have founded Maine's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Council, the official campaign committee opposing the issue.

Maine's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Council has done an excellent job to date, initiating grassroots sportsmen's action and aggressively raising funds for the campaign. The council, coordinated by SAM, has assembled an experienced professional campaign team, including the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance. It has received a strong statement of support from Gov. John Baldacci.

"The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance has been a strong ally and advocate for our campaign," said George Smith, Executive Director of the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine. "The Alliance has worked steadily to offer an array of services, including help with the campaign plan and budget, research from other states that have been challenged by HSUS initiatives, and fundraising expertise."

It will cost nearly $750,000 to run a successful initiative campaign in Maine. The funds are necessary to educate the public about bear hunting and the sportsman's primary role in conservation.

The National Bear Hunting Defense Task Force to date has contributed $40,000 for the campaign.

"This issue is one that should concern sportsmen across the nation," explained Rick Story, U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance senior vice president. "If the anti's triumph, it could eventually lead to the end of all bear hunting, through the initiative process."

In addition to the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, leading task force members include the Michigan Bear Hunters Association, Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association and Upper Peninsula Bear Houndsmen.

Organizations that would like to join the effort can phone the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance at (614) 888-4868.

CopyrightÓ  U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance- www.ussportsmen.org

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