Event Cancelled   Notice: Due to a situation beyond her control, IF&W representative Judy Camuso cannot be present for Wednesday’s FOMB panel discussion on bear hunting at Bath City Hall. In the interest of parity, FOMB regretfully is cancelling the event. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Black bear. Photo: Phil Meyers.

Join Friends of Merrymeeting Bay (FOMB) as we begin our annual Speaker Series with Question 1: A Panel Discussion on Bear Hunting on Wednesday, October 8th at 7:00pm at Bath City Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

This November, Maine voters will consider a referendum proposing certain forms of bear hunting, including the use of traps, bait, and dogs, be banned [Question 1 on the ballot].

A similar referendum was narrowly defeated in 2004. Advocates for this year’s referendum argue it would end cruel and unfair practices, while opponents say the referendum is a public safety issue and keeping these practices assures bear control and minimizes attacks.
FOMB is hosting experts from both sides of the debate. The panel features Daryl DeJoy from the Wildlife Alliance of Maine and Judy Camuso from Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Questions and comments from the audience are encouraged. 

Daryl DeJoy is the Executive Director and Founder of the Wildlife Alliance of Maine (WAM). The organization’s primary focus is representing non-consumptive interests in Maine who participate in wildlife watching and other related activities. WAM represents a very large constituency in the state. Daryl has been a Registered Maine Guide for the past 23 years. For 10 years, he was a licensed Maine wildlife rehabilitator and is also a business owner, founding Penobscot Solar Design 26 years ago.

Judy Camuso is the Wildlife Division Director for Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. She has worked for the department since 2007, starting as a regional biologist in southern Maine. Prior to that Judy worked as a biologist and the environmental center director for Maine Audubon for 11 years. 

You can share the event on Facebook here.

FOMB hosts monthly lectures, film screenings, and other events around the Merrymeeting Bay area through May 2015 as part of our Winter Speaker Series. They are always free and open to the public and are supported by Patagonia, Inc. in Freeport. All events take place on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm at Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick unless noted. The November 12th presentation, Searching for Historic Apples in Maine, features farmer/author John Bunker and will be at the Bridge Academy in Dresden.

Visit Friends of Merrymeeting Bay to see the full Speaker Series schedule, become a member, and learn more about how you can help protect beautiful Merrymeeting Bay.