October 10, 2018

Information gathering meeting for developing rules on bear trapping: October 18; 5:30pm; Augusta Armory, Western Ave. Room 209.

M E M O R A N D U M Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife 284 State Street Augusta, ME 04333-0041

Date: October 4, 2018

To: Interested Stakeholders

From: Timothy Peabody, Deputy Commissioner, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife

Subject: Information gathering meeting for developing rules on bear trapping: October 18; 5:30pm; Augusta Armory, Western Ave. Room 209.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will conduct an information gathering meeting to receive input for its consideration of potential regulations for bear trapping.

In August 2018, the Department adopted an emergency rule limiting bear trap types and bear trapping methods that may accidentally capture the federally threatened Canada lynx in Maine. This rule is effective for the 2018 bear trapping season only; the Department plans to initiate a formal rulemaking process to address the issue long-term.

The Department is considering rules that will allow bear trapping to continue while preventing the take of lynx. Rules may also be established that address other aspects of bear trapping such as: • Trap tending requirements • Design parameters for cable restraints • Trap placement

Department staff will attend the meeting to solicit information that will be used for its development of the bear trapping rules, including any issues or concerns relating to the implementation or effectiveness of the emergency rules. Following the meeting, the Department will develop a proposed rule and initiate a formal rulemaking process.