State Inflated Bear Concerns, Group Charges [Corrected 03/20/04] ; Supporters of a Bear-Baiting Ban Point to E-Mail That They Say Debunks Fears of a Bear Population Surge.

Summary

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Environmental activist Jonathan Carter and Hunters for Fair Bear Hunting alleged Thursday that state biologists inflated concerns about population surges if bear baiting is banned under a citizens' initiative that goes to a vote in November.

Two state biologists denied the allegation after the group held a news conference in Augusta.

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State Inflated Bear Concerns, Group Charges [Corrected 03/20/04] ; Supporters of a Bear-Baiting Ban Point to E-Mail That They Say Debunks Fears of a Bear Population Surge.

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has publicly stated it opposes the initiative to ban bear hunting with bait, traps or dogs because it would lead to a population increase and an explosion in nuisance bear complaints and safety...

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