I am really writing this letter to all the good hunters in the state of Maine.

I hunted as hard as any man for 30 years when I was younger. In all those years, I came across many bears — in trees, on the ground or even fishing — papa bears, mama bears and even baby bears. Not once did any of them gnash their teeth at me or act aggressive toward me in any way. They ran, faster than I could ever run.

Sit down with me, please, and, as a hunter, think about it. Do we really have to bait them or sic dogs on them in order to bag one?

They are free but wild animals, same as moose, deer, etc. Do we bait them? Or are we allowed to sic dogs on them?

I would think that hunting bears would be as challenging as hunting any wild and free animal.

I am asking the hunters to please think about it and if, or when it comes to vote, vote what your heart tells you. And give the bears as much of a chance to run free as any other animal.

Mary Moulton, Livermore Falls