Defending the Rights of Sportsmen

By Senator Chandler Woodcock, Candidate for Governor

When I was ten years old, my grandfather took me hunting in the big woods above Rangeley. He sat me on a stump, looked me in the eye, and said, "Chan, I'll be back in an hour. Don't move from this stump."

It was cold. My ears were cold. My feet were cold. I got up and began to move around to stay warm.

It started to snow, and I wondered, "Where's my grandfather?"

In exactly one hour, he returned. What I didn't know was that he had been watching the entire time from a small stand of fir only 50 yards away.

He said to me, "Chan, I'm proud of you, and it has nothing to do with this stump. It's a matter of trust."

46 years later and here I am, back on the stump.  And it's still a matter of trust.

Whether as a father and husband, a teacher and coach, a veteran, or a Senator, I view my word as my bond.  One of the things that I am most proud of during my three terms in the Senate is the vote I cast this spring in opposition to the Katahdin Lake Project.  I, along with many others – including the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine and the Maine Snowmobile Association – objected to this deal, which added more than 6,000 acres of land surrounding Katahdin Lake to Baxter State Park.  All but 1,975 acres were closed to hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. I was one of only three members of the Maine Senate to vote against that land deal.

I believe it is one of the reasons why I was recently awarded an “A” by the Sportsmen’s Alliance of Maine, and endorsed by the Maine Snowmobile Association.

My fears were that the 1,975 acres set aside for traditional use would also soon be lost to sportsmen.  A purchase of the land adjacent to this parcel by Roxanne Quimby heightened those concerns.  A recent announcement that a new road across public land will provide continued access (for now) to the nearly 2,000 acres placed in jeopardy by the Quimby purchase, still falls short, in my opinion. 

Sportsmen in Maine have lost access to thousands of acres of land in the North Maine Woods under the Katahdin Lake Project.  It was a bad deal for sportsmen when John Baldacci signed the bill, and it is a bad deal today.  

Recently, the National Rifle Association awarded me an “A” for my strong stance in support of Second Amendment rights.  I believe that before we create new laws to encroach upon the rights of gun owners, we ought to enforce the laws we already have on the books.

I vividly remember hunting and fishing as a child with my grandfather.  Today there is little I value more than hunting and fishing with my children, and my young grandchildren. 

My hometown is just a short drive away from legendary brook trout and salmon fishing in Western Maine, the same lakes and rivers that one of Maine’s first outspoken outdoor ambassadors – Fly Rod Crosby – sought to protect in the halls in Augusta. I am honored to continue what Fly Rod started, and my passion for the outdoors is reflected in both my actions and my voting record as a state Senator. 

I am asking for your support in this election, because I believe we need a Governor who will both protect and celebrate our sporting heritage.  Thanks for your consideration.

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