PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 23, 2020
Consider a few things before putting stock in the statements by John M. Glowa Sr. in his May 19 commentary (“Let’s work toward shutting down Maine’s bear feeding program”). An inadequate food supply can lead to bears feeding on residents’ pets and livestock. Bear baits help keep bears in the woods. Discontinuing baiting would have tremendous impact on the population, leaving between 1,500 and 2,500 bears in the population every year. The reason for the increase in the bear population may be that there are fewer hunters. Do we want to limit the number of bears harvested each year with the populations on the rise and the number of hunters declining? ~ Kara Hodgin, Newfield, Maine Sporting Dog Association