In a joint testimonial from the group, the coalition's spokesperson Tom Doak read from a prepared statement: "We all come at this issue with a slightly different point-of-view. However, we are united in our concern that the issue of Sunday hunting is driving a wedge between landowners, sportsmen, recreational users and the public. This rancor is not good for sportsmen, recreational users, woodland owners or the general public," said Doak. Doak is the Executive Director of the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine.

"We believe the real issue is respect for each other's traditions and a balance to the relationship between user and landowner. We should focus on, and build upon, what we have in common, namely Maine's outdoor heritage," Doak concluded.

To that end, the coalition of sportsman and landowners offered the following position statement to help resolve and clarify the issues created by the Sunday hunting proposals:

We support long term and fair funding for the department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W). Their mission is critical to the protection and management of Maine's wildlife resource.

Sunday hunting is an enormous issue for the citizens of Maine and should not be connected to the funding of Maine's state budget.

The coalition does not support dividing the state into landowner categories (large and small) and imposing different hunting regulations based on the size or location of ownership.

We urge the Maine legislature move beyond this divisive debate on Sunday Hunting and initiate a constructive dialog on improving landowner relations.

We urge an end to any discussion of Sunday hunting this legislative session and the creation of a task force of landowners, sportsmen and others whose charge is to consider proposals to maintain and enhance cooperative outdoor recreation opportunities on private land.

Members of the coalition of sportsmen and landowners include:

• Maine Trappers Association
• Maine Bowhunters Association
• Maine Snowmobile Association
• Maine Professional Guides Association
• Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine
• Maine Farm Bureau
• The Maine Forest Products Council
• North Maine Woods

For more information, please contact:

Tom Doak, Executive Director, Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine.
Augusta, Maine (207) 626-0005, Cell: (207) 446-4481

John Rooks, Rooks Communications. Portland, Maine (207) 772-0066, Cell (207) 712-7498