PORTLAND — Officials say a November ballot question will ask voters if they oppose three methods of bear hunting except under certain circumstances.
State officials released the ballot language on Thursday. It asks: “Do you want to ban the use of bait, dogs or traps in bear hunting except to protect property, public safety, or for research?”
Supporters of the restrictions passed the threshold months ago necessary to put the initiative on the fall ballot. The vote comes 10 years after Maine voters narrowly rejected a similar ballot initiative.
Opponents of restrictions say the rules would hurt Maine’s tourism and economy. Proponents say baiting bears with human food habituates them to human smells and lessened their instinctive fear of people.
Baiting accounts for 80 percent of the state bear hunt.
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