I have a unique perspective on Maine’s bear referendum. At my age, 741?2, I’ve experienced and seen a lot of wild black bears in Cumberland and York counties. First as a lad with a single-shot, .22 rifle at open and burning dumps in Falmouth, Gorham, Westbrook and Windham. Along with countless rats were whole families of bear foraging for food. Bears carried a $15 bounty but rats didn’t. Also, bears were considered pests and enlarged “dump rats.”

So unsettling, I printed a letter to the then-governor of Maine, with a lot of help from dad and mom. In about 1957 the bear was elevated to the status of game animal. Soon, the bounty of $15 dropped and strict laws passed to manage a growing bear population.

Second, as an adult and public school teacher, I took every available science elective course to prepare myself to become a secondary or junior high school science teacher. This interest kept me in close contact with Maine’s flora and fauna. I love Maine’s outdoors.

Beginning with a rescued black lab pup, I started rescuing unwanted sporting dogs. This hobby continues today. It obviously doesn’t matter if it’s a flushing or pointing type of bird dog, if it needs a new home, I’d rescue, retrain and relocate it, ASAP. So my hobby took me in search of wild game birds. Said dogs didn’t harm any, they either flushed or pointed them. But accidentally, they also found bears. Armed with only pepper stray and a starter or blank pistol, we hastily left all bears alone. Just a quick glimpse of black was our exit signal. In order from most to least, these towns are where I’ve seen wild black bears: Cornish, Gray, Gorham and Westbrook.

I sincerely believe black bears are a valuable asset and valuable game animal. I trust our educated and specially trained game biologists and game wardens to control and manage our modern and robust wild black bear population in southern Maine. These professionals have earned by respect and my no vote on this important referendum issue.

John L. Bernard

Portland

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