Cecil Gray of bingham, ME As usual attack a man who has trapped more than fifty bears and is coming clean. Donuts, snares, bear in snare for hours, coward coming to execution. Case closed.report abuse

Will Sparks of Sidney, ME Interesting Debate, I am not a bear trapper or bear hunter. I have trapped in the past and realize it is a crucial wildlife management tool. I have known of Bill Randall for some time now, even sold some fur to Bill when I was trapping, since he was a local fur buyer for years. He was also a bobcat and bear hunter and guide who made his living from trappers and sporstman until one day he was involved in asaulting a landowner while hunting and his licenses were taken away by DIF&W. It seems like he has been on their case since then. I can't help but think that if he still had his licenses this entire debate would not be happening or he would be on the other side of it. Shame on you Bill for letting your vindictiveness make you turn your back on your fellow sporstmen who helped support your family over the years. I am sure you will deny that it is vindictiveness and that you have seen the error of your past behavior as a hunter and trapper. report abuse

John Chapman of Portland, ME "that IF&W was clearly in violation of the Maine and Federal Constitution balance of power clause. I could write for hours and hours on this subject but I won't."

Bill: could you please quote the text of the "balance of power" clause? My copy of the constitution seems to be missing that page. Glad to see you are no longer in Farmington.
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richard emmons of ellsworth, ME Who in their right mind can allow the leg hold traps!!!! Call me 266-1669. report abuse

Cecil Gray of bingham, ME Being the only Agency with bear populations who think like this it makes for a real headscratcher. Randy Cross, who does most of the field research, also moonlights as a bear baiting guide. Ken Elowe is a well known hounder of bears. Martin is a politician who knows little about it. So I think it is a combination of ignorance, disregard for animals, stubborness, and a like for what they do. It is depressing to see such an outright blight being ignored and defended, as if intellegent people who are in the know, have no insight into their pathetic lack of science and reasoning. I must conclude that part of Mr. Elowe's headset must contain a slight touch of pyshopathy. To be this stubborn in lieu of the indefensible torture of a big game animal, that is occurring here, hints at a lack of conscience. I have no other explanation as to why they align themselves with the last tiny radical minority in the country when all other agencies have seen the obvious light. If this goes to referendum they will be humiliated.report abuse

Bill Randall of Winthrop, ME Badoog, there is a fiscal note of $38,000 (if I heard it correctly) attached to the bill that IF&W claims will be lost in license sales. It's a slightly inflated figure, as we would expect from a department that receives a large portion of their annual revenues from license sales. IF&W never seems to have enough money to do the administrative things in Augusta that I have already addressed. There is often seven of the top IF&W administrators that show up at every fish and wildlife hearing and the same at the multiple work sessions on the IF&W bills. They are always there to trumpet their own horn, and of course, unlike the general public, they have an opportunity to speak as often and long as they wish. They also have access to the IF&W Committee room behind the locked doors because of Senator Bryant and his predecessors. If you want an eye opener, spend some time at the Dome, and you'll see the kind of political corruption that I learned to abhor. At one time, until I dared to disagree with IF&W's views on an issue, I too was privileged and had access behind the closed doors. The honest Committee chairpersons, and I use the ACF Committee chairperson for an example, does NOT permit the government or anyone else behind the closed doors of the Committee room. I once heard the Criminal Justice Committee chairperson say, "If there is more than one person in the Committee Room, the door WILL remain open." He had integrity, something Senator Bryant does not have. Rep. Royce Perkins, a biologist and former member of the IF&W Committee was very upset with the IF&W presence. He alleged, after I did legal research in the Legislative Law Library for him, that IF&W was clearly in violation of the Maine and Federal Constitution balance of power clause. I could write for hours and hours on this subject but I won't. I hope I have provided you with enough information to at least know a little of what goes on at the Dome regarding fish and wildlife matters.report abuse

Badoog of Biddeford, ME Bill or Cecil: Do you know what the rational is behind IF&W supporting bear trapping? I don't seea Political Action Group out there representing bear trappers.

Thanks.report abuse

vicki emmons of cumberland, ME It seems to me that those in Maine with a strangle-hold on this 'tradition' are still living in the past. Change is unavoidable and as humans become more conscious of better behavior towards themselves and other living things, more of us will voice our displeasure and disagreement over antiquated methods of doing anything, but especially this sad excuse for hunting. Killing anything for sport has always struck me as being 'soulless' in the worst way (slavery used to be an accepted practice too....) So to the so-called 'hunters' (you actually don't deserve that title, but this is a public forum, so I can't use the real words) there must be something constructive you can do instead of entertaining yourself and your friends by killing an animal that has no way to fight back - I just don't get it. This issue exposes some hypocrisy re: 'Maine, the way life should be' - are you just upset because we're airing your dirty laundry in public -AGAIN?? It takes a 'real' hunter to kill an animal with it's head buried in a pile of donuts.......excuse those of us who would like Maine to be known for its blessings rather than its curses.report abuse

Shawn 123 of North Berwick, ME The more I read about the "technique" on various sites, the more I see Bill and Cecil and other's point of view. No skill involved at all, but plenty of cruelty. report abuse

Chrissie Emmons of San Francisco, CA Bill Randall-I am very impressed to have you speak from experience in support of the ban. I feel your accounts hold the MOST credibility as many people against animal cruelty/suffering are often classified as "lovey-dovey animal lovers" with little validity (unfortunately). Trapping is barbaric and obsolete-it should be admonished. Those that oppose the ban do so out of fear and anxiety, as they are not exposed to other methods or educated in true sportsmanship-it is all they know. I fought very hard for the first ban and will continue to fight with my monetary means, along with my voice for the ban again. This sort of death is beyond disgusting and needs to become a method of the past. I know the restrictions/ban will prevail this time and how proud I am to be from Maine when I see so many dedicated people fighting for this cause.report abuse