Originally published on Sept. 22, 1980, the opening day of Maine’s first modern moose hunt. Original headline: ‘Why y’all haired up?’
GREENVILLE, Maine — On the eve of Maine’s first moose chase in 45 years, the recording secretary of the Kokadjo Yachting, Polo and Roller Derby Assn., wearing the office’s tribal robes, invited three strong and hardy outdoorsmen to answer one question: “Why are you all haired up?”
Edward E. Sprague, 84A Chapel St., Augusta:
“Why am I all haired up? I’ll repeat what I wrote Governor Brennan and that is this is a highly questionable and experimental voyage officially named, ‘Open Season For Killing Moose for Experimental Purposes.’ It will, in all likelihood, accomplish nothing other than allowing several hundred hunters to participate in the shameful slaughter of 700 of these rare, docile, majestic animals.
“Naturally, this preposterous voyage is strongly opposed by a great number of conscientious outdoor enthusiasts, true sportsmen, and even dedicated poachers of long standing.
“Non-residents from neighboring states have also expressed similar opposition. And amongst these concerned persons live a breed of equally dedicated poachers, although probably not as experienced as ours.
“Therefore, it ought to be apparent that a parcel of dissimilar persons form all walks of like hold that Maine’s uncommon moose herd should be left intact, thus allowing Nature to select its course without interference from the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, the Maine Legislature and special interests.”
FORREST DOODY, Rt. 4, Fort Fairfield:
“This whole thing’s a joke. The fish and game department calls it ‘experimental.’ Baloney. It is a financial windfall and they are the winners.
“I predict a lot of moose will spoil. The average sportsman has no idea in the world how to field care an animal the size of a bull moose. Another thing, 1,400 names should have been drawn and hunting limited to three days, rather than 700 and six days. It would have given more people a chance to hunt and if a hunter can’t bag a moose in three days time, he doesn’t belong in the woods.
“I had a good laugh the night of the license drawing on television. You were interviewing a boss warden (Assistant Chief Warden Russell Dyer) and he was answering questions with a straight face, not once cracking a smile. He kept saying the ‘wardens would run this hunt with a light hand.’ I have news for that fellow. Some-body ought to tell him poachers will kill a moose before and after the hunt. In northern Aroostook, we have educated poachers. Some of the young wardens, fresh out of school and with soap still behind their ears, will need more education if they’re thinking about putting a stop to moose poaching. More than a few .30-30s will be hidden in a hollow tree back in the woods.”
GEORGE THOMPSON, Bald Mt. Dr., Bangor:
“I’m not really ‘haired up,’ but I have three questions that I would like answered. 1. Were you, Bud Leavitt, given a special courtesy permit that allows you to hunt and kill a moose during the six-day season; 2. How many Augusta legislators or politicians were handed courtesy licenses; and 3. How many courtesy and free per-mits were given departmental personnel by Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Glenn Manuel? Answer those questions publicly and I’ll go quietly.”
Mr. Thompson is advised here and now my only weapon in the next days is a non-automatic Olivetti typewriter. These being tough times, I will not be accompanied by a gun-bearer or permittee. I have never been given a courtesy license by the fish and wildlife offices — not even to pick on the clam flats.
You wish to defend your honor, Mr. Manuel?
“Indeed I do. No politician, legislator, fish and game department employee or Mrs. Manuel was handed a “free” permit. Every last person participating in this six-day hunt got there through a rigidly managed chance selection. There are two or three legislators and three or four department employees legally licensed to hunt, but in all instances, the luck-of-the-draw got them permits. You may inform Mr. Thompson every last individual participating in the hunt is there legitimately, or as I said, due to the luck-of-the-draw. Me? My hunting will be done at our Greenville headquarters, making damn certain that our people carry out every last detail.”
Okay, daughters and sons of the bush, let us all return to the Kokadjo Yachting, Polo & Roller Derby clubhouse and share a tall, cooling glass of hard cider and so much for the question, ‘why are you all haired up?”