Hunting is a Maine tradition, as it is in many places around the world. Some people see it as something to pass onto your kid, a way to bond. Some see it as rehabilitation to escape the everyday issues in society or their personal life. Some need hunting as extra food for the year to get by. By hunting being restricted from Maine people on Sunday, the best day of the week to exercise this way of life is being kept from the people who need it most. Sunday is the day of the week most people have off from work or school, even sports stretch to Saturday’s. Sunday is the one day people have to rest and enjoy the activities they enjoy best. Hunting cannot be one of those activities they can enjoy on Sundays, and for those busy people working at their job or at school, the only day to hunt is taken.

         Also, Maine is the Pine Tree State, and a good way to maintain good wildlife populations and a good ecosystem is through hunting. For example, look at the black bear population. Maine’s department for fish and wildlife explains that in 2015-16, the bear population grew by 2-4% each year, creating more urban conflict with bear. They explain that harvests must increase to slow the growth of this animal’s population, which can only happen through greater hunter participation, success, and hunter opportunity. What better way to achieve this than to give hunters more time to harvest? More time meaning Sundays! It will help manage animal populations and overgrowth, and reduce negative encounters with Maine people. Not just with Black Bear, this applies to all animals universally.

          Maine people need Sunday to hunt. It is best for ourselves and our future generations. It is best for the animals. Help this petition become a reality! It won’t only benefit Maine hunters, but every living, breathing thing in the state. Together we can pull this off and look back on this with no doubt in our minds, and the feeling that together, we helped keep Maine life the way it should be.

*Facts on black bear courtesy of the Northwoods Sporting Journal.