July 29, 2025 at 9:35 am
The 12-week Advanced Warden School prepares Maine’s future game wardens to protect the woods and waters of Maine, and those who enjoy them, learn about weeks one-three here.
Weeks 4 - 7 of the Advanced Warden School focused on hunting, boating, trapping, medical training, and whitewater rafting.
Week 4: Hunting
Maine Game Wardens are itching for hunting season to arrive as they look forward to playing a crucial role in protecting Maine’s wildlife resources by catching the intentional violators and educating hunters on safe and ethical practices. During week 4, the Warden School continued to learn Maine’s conservation laws, patrol techniques, guide relations, and specifics related to hound hunting. Instructors came from all over the state including Retired Warden Jim Fahey.
Outside of hunting related instruction, the Warden School continues to participate in weekly Jiu Jitsu training at Titan Athletics in Brewer, along with physical fitness training and testing. The class has shown a high level of fitness exceeding the minimum department standards.
Week 5: Boating
During week five, the class headed to St. Joseph’s College on Sebago Lake to focus on boating patrol and safety. Sebago is the deepest and second-biggest lake in Maine.
The class focused on state boating laws, boat crash investigation procedures, and spent the rest of the week practicing boat trailing, docking, boating operation, and patrol techniques. 4th of July was at the end of boating week which allowed the Warden School to work alongside other wardens across the state and participate in Operation Dry Water, a national awareness and enforcement campaign which raises awareness of the dangers of boating under the influence and removes impaired operators from our nation's waterways. Members of the Warden School were able to interact with the public addressing a variety of violations and apprehend two boaters who were operating boats under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Week 6: Trapping, Evidence Response Team, and Hunting Related Incident Investigations
The class returned to Husson University for week six. To start the week each warden successfully completed the Maine trapper education course, gaining knowledge about different types of traps, common practices and techniques used. Wardens from around the state also instructed the class on trapping laws, tending requirements, and specifics based around bear trapping. The class used hands on scenarios to further expand their skill set and relate it to patrol techniques.
Following this course, the class worked with the Maine Warden Service Evidence Recovery and Forensic Mapping Teams to learn about crime scene processing and the use of specialized equipment. As part of their training, they reconstructed a mock shooting-related incident, applying their newly acquired forensic skills.
It’s worth noting that hunting continues to be one of Maine's safest outdoor activities. With over 230,000 licensed hunters, our state has averaged less than six hunting related incidents per year over the last ten years. Last season, there was only one hunting-related incident —a testament to the strong safety culture and education efforts across the state.
Week 7: Tactical Medicine, Patrol Techniques, Whitewater Training
During week 7 the class headed north to Greenville. Wardens spent two days training on tactical medicine, focused on massive hemorrhage control with tourniquet application, chest wounds, recovery positions, hypothermia treatment, patient transport, and more. The training included two days of real-life scenarios and finished with a mock injury and carry-out off Mt. Kineo.
On Thursday morning the class with other wardens hiked Borestone Mountain in memory of Retired Warden Sergeant Glenn Annis. Glenn’s brother Ryan and father Don also made the trip. Ryan and others carried Glenn’s ashes in his old warden pack up to the summit. The group shared stories, and the class got a better idea of what kind of man Warden Glenn was and the impact he left.
Follow along over the next five weeks as these future wardens continue their journey to becoming sworn law enforcement officers. Prior to Advanced Warden School, each member completed an 18-week Basic Law Enforcement Training Program. The 2025 class includes a future Pleasant Point Reservation Passamaquoddy Game Warden and four future Maine Game Wardens.
Learn more about becoming a Maine Game Warden