UPDATE! Landowner Relations Relief Kits Issued to Maine Game Wardens

Thanks to the generous support from folks who have become Outdoor Partners and back Maine's Landowner Relations Program, game wardens across the state have all been issued new Landowner Relations Relief Kits. The kits contain a variety of tools used by wardens to assist landowners in resolving issues with illegal or unethical use of their property. The project was funded in part by contributions made through the Outdoor Partners Program as well as generous support from Cabelas, who donated the bags for the kits as well as 30 trail cameras. Since last September, wardens have been able to use these kits to assist hundreds of landowners and have successfully caught dozens of land-abusers throughout Maine.  

UPDATE!

Here are some recent cases where Maine Game Wardens were able to use the tools in their Landowner Relations Relief Kit to stop abuse of private lands:

[caption id="attachment_643" align="aligncenter" width="501"] Warden Wayde Carter was able to use the tools in his Landowner Relations Relief Kit to catch the driver of this truck (in photo above) dumping tires on American Forest Management's land. The operator was charged and convicted and in addition to paying a fine was required to clean up the entire area.[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_644" align="aligncenter" width="513"] With help from some of the tools in his Landowner Relations Relief Kit, Warden Alan Curtis was able to catch the hunter in the photo above who was charged and convicted of hunting violations where he abused the land of a private landowner.[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_645" align="aligncenter" width="503"] Using some of the tools in his Landowner Relations Relief Kit, Warden Jonathan Parker was able to resolve issues relating to illegal activity that resulted in the closed trail in the photo above to be opened for access by permission.[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_1180" align="aligncenter" width="511"] Sgt. Ron Dunham and Warden Bailey were able to utilize game cameras from their Land Owner Relations Relief kits to identify the subject in this photo who stole one game camera, attempted to steal a second one that was cable locked to a beam, and was caught unknowingly by a third camera. The stolen camera can be seen in his hands. Wardens worked for over 3 years to catch this individual in the act. He was convicted of a felony and had to pay $2900 back for gas he has stolen over a period of time. Without the equipment, he might not have been caught.[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_1181" align="aligncenter" width="546"] With the help of a game camera from her Landowner Relations Relief Kit, Warden Kim Bates was able to identify and summons a Maine Guide who had placed an illegal bait during bear season. He was convicted of an unlabeled coyote bait.[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_1184" align="aligncenter" width="545"] These hunters were illegally baiting bear without permission on American Forest Management land. Warden Wayde Carter was able to use his Landowner Relations Relief Kit to obtain this picture of the hunters actually dragging the illegally harvested bear out.[/caption] To learn more about the Outdoors Partner program, visit: bit. ly/outdoorpartners or contact Corporal Rick LaFlamme at rick.laflamme@maine.gov