AUGUSTA, Maine - A group calling itself Hunting Works For Maine announced its formation at a State House news conference Tuesday, saying too many Mainers do not realize the importance of hunting to Maine's overall economy.
"Bear hunting in Aroostook County is crucial to that county, it is a major component of what the guides do up there," said David Trahan, executive director of the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine. "For somebody that is living in South Portland, it has no immediate impact on their lives, and that's the reality we face today."
Rep. Gary Hilliard, a Republican from Belgrade, co-chairs the group. He says most Mainers do not realize that hunters spend more than a $100 million a year on hunting trips, and that nearly 4,000 jobs in the state depend at least in part on hunting activities.
