Animal Rights Groups And Governor Oppose Maine’s Coyote Hunts
December 31, 2009
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Right on schedule, animal rights groups, environmentalists and anti-hunting groups are lining up in opposition to coyote hunting in Maine and more specifically the current coyote tournament sponsored by the Jackman-Moose River Chamber of Commerce. 6 hunters have enrolled and have killed one coyote since it began Dec. 16.
But what’s really at stake here is a test to witness the resolve and priorities of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife under the direction of Gov. Baldacci. According to the Maine Public Broadcasting Network website, Baldacci opposes the hunts too.
David Farmer is a spokesman for the governor. “The governor doesn’t support this kind of tournament — he finds the practice inhumane,” Farmer says. “He has spoken with his Commissioner ofInland Fisheries and Wildlife and asked that he reach out to the group that is sponsoring the event and see if they would be willing or interested in calling it off.”
I find it amazing that Maine’s governor doesn’t have at the least an understanding of what his state is facing concerning the destruction of its whitetail deer herd. To me this is a clear indication of why Maine’s deer herd has been decimated. He and MDIFW are ultimately responsible for this demise. They have failed and are offering little in the way of solutions, yet oppose efforts by locals to save their economies and deer herds.
Should the governor and MDIFW Commissioner Martin buckle to the whims of hypocritical and extremist environmental groups on this issue, then outdoor sportsmen in Maine have their answer as to why Maine will never see a return of deer to certain parts of the state.
It is hypocritical that these groups oppose the taking of coyotes in order to balance out the predator/prey ratios to protect deer. Why aren’t these misguided groups interested in protecting other species? Simple answer. They’re not. They are interested in stopping hunting.
So, Mr. Governor and Mr. Martin. It appears the ball is now in your court. What do you intend to do with it? Show us your true colors. Are you interested in protecting the deer and preserving Maine’s deer herd and deer hunting heritage? Or, are you scared of bad publicity that will be generated from a group of extremists that are mostly laughed at by Maine residents.
Your call.
Tom Remington
