As a (former) long-time Mainer, I can tell you that the Maine that 'usta was' isn't the Maine that 'is'.

Massholes have moved north across the border in huge numbers. Like denizens of Kalifornia, they fouled their own nests to the point where even they noticed the stink and so they moved. (People like that never clean up their messes.) As soon as they got to Maine, they immediately began converting it to Taxachusetts North. Maine actually starts north of Bangor now and everything else is a satellite of Boston. (Look at the per capita tax versus the per capita income in the state.)

Of course, the bear guides and outfitters in the state didn't help with their internal squabbles and the fact that many of the rules they've forced through the legislature have actually favored flatlanders over locals. That has eroded their local support base.

I spoke a couple of days ago with a long time friend -- a retired game warden -- who said that if the locals hadn't grown seriously annoyed with all the outsiders telling them that the northern half of the state should be turned into a park for cross-country skiers, out-of-state snow-sledders and nature hikers in LL Bean spandex, that initiative would have passed.

There'll be more efforts to do in the bear hunting and, as the old-timers pass, it just might happen...