If the November referendum that seeks to ban black bear hunting with bait, traps or dogs is approved, state wildlife officials say their job will get tougher. They’ll also lose millions of dollars.
According to the wildlife department, if the referendum is approved, it will have economic ramifications to Maine’s economy.
A 1988 survey estimated that bear hunting generated $6.4 million, including $3.4 million of new money for the state’s economy provided by nonresident hunters, most of whom hire Maine guides to successfully hunt bear over bait.
There have been no studies since.
“This impact is delivered in the more rural areas of the state, primarily the northern, eastern and western mountain portions,” the department states on its Web site.
Referendum spokesman Robert Fisk Jr. of Falmouth disagrees with state officials. Fisk said the state could increase the number of bear permits, which would increase revenues.
“Bear hunting licenses have tripled in the states that banned baiting and hounding,” Fisk said. “After the ban in Oregon, bear licenses tripled, bringing an additional $400,000 to the state.
Overall participation in hunting here is declining slightly, but sales of bear permits have risen from 10,133 in 1992 to 15,252 in 2002, the department states. Nonresidents bought nearly half of the 15,227 permits last year.
Hunting guides in the state bring in about $4.6 million, the department estimates. That figure doesn’t include retail sales, taxidermy or other services.
Ecology and tourism
Ban supporter Fisk said there would also be a “huge economic potential” for guides and support businesses in Maine’s growing interest in ecotourism, such as nature walks and wildlife watching.
“In recent years, the public’s interest in opportunities to view bears has been on the rise, largely fueled by the increased bear population and visibility of bears along roadsides,” according to the department.
In 1996, 54 percent of people traveling to view wildlife in Maine were interested in watching large land animals, including deer, bear and moose, according to state counts.
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