Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is once again rearing its tradition of abandoning wildlife science (“Changes are in store for Maine deer permits – including a fee for the first time,” April 14). The latest mirage is the new doe permit for $12. This is extra crafty, because it includes their two favorite ideals, the solution of killing more in response to unfounded “problems,” and raking in more fees. That will draw in plenty of accomplices who will march in under the guise of conservation. Meanwhile the yearly war on coyotes will continue with absolutely no scientific research to support it.

If too many deer is a concern, why kill more predators who actually feed on small game much more than deer? The same money game guts any claim that supports the need for more moose permits. Once again the answer is to kill more in lieu of solving a problem. The convenient, not peer-reviewed “experiment” used for this façade is that killing a ton of moose will eliminate tick survival.

Our agency is directly linked to a lobby they serve well, one that hides behind make-believe science while behaving in the opposite. Watch what they do, not what they say. Dig for their “research” and attend a committee meeting or two. It’s rather obvious and sadly ignored.

Cecil Gray

Skowhegan