Looking back, I realize it was just an animal minding its business on a fall afternoon. I will remember that howl forever. It really put me off hunting altogether. But legislators are so wary of it that they're ready to climb the nearest tree stand when an inquisitive voter approaches. Sportsmen are so spooked they call in chits they'd been saving for truly important matters to ensure there won't be discussion about bears.
Guides are mum, counting their money, perhaps.
To be told she couldn't possibly understand what was going on because she hadn't been on a hunt made the journalistic challenge even tastier. Imagine jelly donuts as big-game bait and you're a long way toward understanding bear hunting. Mainers are used to odd logic in defense of hunting practices. The quota of moose is raised because too many of them are colliding with vehicles. A restricted deer season may be in the cards because of high winter mortality, though hunters killed twice as many as perished in the deep snow and cold.