From Letters to the Editor:

I've been hunting, fishing, ATVing and snowmobiling for 40-plus years in our great state, and I have met many game wardens over the years.

On March 4, my brother and I were snowmobiling in Ashland headed to Portage. After going through a couple of deer yards, we had stopped to take a break and pictures of deer when two game wardens, Dave Milligan '88 and Preston Pomerleau '04, come along.

We greeted each other and started conversing; they were courteous and talked with us like fellow outdoorsmen. We talked about the deer yards, snowmobiling, their sleds, etc. As we were talking, I noticed Preston had glanced at the registration sticker on my brother's sled and the lack of one on mine. I expected him to interrupt our conversation to ask me where my registration was, but we finished our conversation about deer. Then he asked, "Is that a new sled?" I said, "Yes, do you want to see my registration?" He said, "Please."

After the registration check and a little more conversation, other sleds came along so Dave and Preston had to go back to work. We said good-bye and continued riding.

As I snowmobiled away, I thought what a professional and courteous way Preston had of checking my registration. After all, he could have demanded it at any time.

They could have chosen not to talk with my brother and I, instead they conversed willingly and cheerfully. What true professionals to meet while enjoying the outdoors.

Maine should be proud to have game wardens like Dave and Preston in the field; I know I am.

P.S. As we were talking about deer, two healthy large deer walked across the trail not 100 feet from us.

William Guilmette

Gardiner