The Maine Supreme Judicial Court on April 14, 2016 affirmed a lower court decision that dismissed a lawsuit filed against the conduct of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W) during a 2014 ballot issue concerning black bear hunting methods. A Cumberland County court had ruled in March of 2015 that the case was moot because the election was concluded.
Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting, an organization created and financed by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to ban black bear hunting using bait, dogs and traps, appealed the lower court decision, sought to re-argue the case alleging that IF&W had exceeded its authority by advocating against the ballot issue. The lower court was not supportive of this claim, and previously rejected a motion in 2014 to stop the use of IF&W personnel in advertising financed by the Maine Wildlife Conservation Council (MWCC), which opposed the ballot question.
Instead, the lower court, dismissed the case as moot, in response to a request by the state. Today’s decision completes litigation on the subject. “I’m very pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision,” exclaimed Don Kleiner, chairman of MWCC which was a defendant intervenor in the case. “We have said all along that IF&W did nothing more than their job in 2014, and today, the court has once again refused to find the department at fault.” MWCC requested the court allow its participation as a defendant intervenor to ensure the views of the sportsmen’s community were heard by the court. MWCC attorneys coordinated with the state’s attorneys throughout the case.
“I want to thank the many contributors to MWCC that financed the defense against this frivolous lawsuit,” Kleiner added. “With more than $100,000 invested in defending sportsmen and women in court, we could not have done it without the Maine Professional Guides Association, Maine Sporting Dog Association, Maine Trappers Association, the Sportsmen’s Alliance, the Grand Lake Stream Guides Association, and the Maine Forest Products Council.”
MWCC continues to work with Maine sportsmen and women, outfitters, sporting goods businesses, and organizations to prepare for the defense of hunting, fishing and trapping in Maine as HSUS continues to threaten further attacks.
Donations to MWCC can be sent to PO BOX 5540 Augusta, Maine 04330.
Don Kleiner may be contacted at dkleiner@maineguides.org or by phone at 207-785-4496.
Thank you for supporting the Maine Wildlife Conservation Council!
Maine Wildlife Conservation Council Board of Directors
Brian Cogill, Maine Trappers Association
Bill Dereszewski, Maine Sporting Dog Association
Evan Heusinkveld, (US) Sportsmen’s Alliance
Don Kleiner, Maine Professional Guides Association