Sen. Davis submits bill to allow state biologists to better manage black bear population

AUGUSTA – Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville has sponsored legislation, LR 514 “An Act To Give the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife the Authority To Adjust the Black Bear Hunting Season and Bag Limit,” to give state wildlife biologists more control in the management of Maine’s growing black bear population. Currently, black bear management policies are set by the Legislature’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committees.

Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville

“During the 2014 ‘Save the Bear’ campaign, we successfully fought off efforts from outside forces looking to dictate our black bear management practices by arguing that we should trust our wildlife biologists,” Davis said. “My bill seeks to do just that. Under current management practices, Maine’s black bear population has steadily increased and is now at around 35,000 bears. That’s why I think now is the time to hand over the reins to our wildlife biologists so they can make the best management decisions regarding seasons, methods and bag limits. Wildlife management decisions are best made by those who have a thorough understanding of the science.”