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Press Releases

Contact:
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
284 State Street
41 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333


Telephone: cell (207) 592-4348

February 28, 2012

A Busy Night For Maine Game Wardens

T11 R10 WELS, AROOSTOOK COUNTY, February 28, 2012: Three men attempting to ride snowmobiles nearly 300 miles from Guilford to Fort Kent in one day were rescued by Maine Game Wardens last night (2/27/2012) in a remote region of northern Maine. Craig Lemieux, age 41, from Parkman, Chad Jones, age 31, from North Yarmouth, and Tobey Cleaves, age 22, from Sangerville became stranded on unplowed logging roads in T11 R10 WELS yesterday afternoon. After one of the snowmobiles had mechanical trouble, the other two men became stuck in four feet of snow as they were attempting to break a trail out to the American Realty Road. The group had a satellite phone and was able to communicate with a friend that they needed assistance.

Game Warden Sergeant Durward Humphrey and Wardens Preston Pomerleau, David Milligan, and Andrew Smart traveled to the area in trucks then transitioned to snowmobiles and located the stranded men. After a recent snowstorm dumped an additional 14 inches of snow, the snow depth in that area is at least four feet and more in places. The men had some supplies, but no snowshoes making walking very difficult. Jones and Cleaves traveled approximately ½ mile in five hours before making it out to the Realty Road where they were picked up. Lemieux was with his disabled snowmobile and had a fire going for warmth.

Game Warden Lieutenant Thomas Ward said, “We are seeing more and more of this extreme type of snowmobiling in northern Maine. Folks make annual treks through the deepest, most remote part of the county and it’s not uncommon to get a couple of these rescue calls each winter. These men would have definitely had an uncomfortable night as temperatures plunged into the single digits and we received another three inches of snow. I want to remind extreme type snowmobilers to be prepared and demonstrate good, sound judgment before attempting a trip like this as four wardens and a lot of resources were tied up making sure these men were brought out to safety. Every time I send wardens out for these calls, there is a risk factor involved due to the harsh conditions.”

 

CHESUNCOOK LAKE AREA – FEBRUARY 28, 2012: On February 27 at approximately 8:00 pm, Maine Game Warden Bob Johansen received a report of a missing snowmobiler in the Chesuncook Lake region. An investigation revealed that Irving “Vance” Wright, age 51, of Brunswick, Maine had arrived earlier in the morning at a camp located in Chesuncook Village. Wright was with several other people on this trip. Several members of the party left to go fishing on Allagash Lake and left Wright back at camp with another member of their party. Sometime between noon and 2:00 pm Wright left on snowmobile from Chesuncook Village to parts unknown. He did not tell anyone where he was going or when he would return and he was unfamiliar with the area. Once the members of his party returned from fishing on Allagash Lake, they realized their friend was missing.

The Warden Service was notified about 8:00 pm and Game Warden Johansen responded and received information about Wright. Several local people had already been searching as well as the members of his party for several hours. Visibility was poor due high winds.

This morning, five game wardens responded to Chesuncook Lake to search for Wright. At around 7:00 am, the snowmobile Wright was operating was found by local resident David Surprenant on Brandy Pond which is connected to Chesuncook Lake. The snowmobile appeared to be broken down and Wright was not with the snowmobile. Warden Bob Johansen was contacted and headed to the area and after looking around Warden Johansen found Wright about ¾ of a mile away from the snowmobile on the shoreline of Brandy Pond walking back towards Chesuncook Lake. He did not need medical treatment.

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The Maine Warden Service wants to again remind all “off trail” snowmobiler’s to follow the common sense of rules of the sport. Watch the weather forecast, be prepared for the worst, don’t completely rely on electronic devices such as GPS, cell and satellite phones, never ride alone, tell someone of your travel plans and an estimated time of return.