The Warden Service uses GPS (Global Positioning System) in their aircraft to assist in navigation during bad weather and night operations. The pilot of the aircraft and observer can also map any activity by linking the GPS (Garmin 150) to Delorme's Mapkit software running on a laptop PC. The data can later be downloaded to computers on the ground for the construction and printing of detailed surface maps that also show the path of the aircraft. These maps are used for activities such as night time surveillance, boating law enforcement, accident investigation, search and rescue operations, deer yard survey mapping, eagle nesting areas, waterfowl surveys and heavy cutting areas near deer yards.

Night Vision devices have been used by the US Military for several decades. In the past, Maine Wardens 'borrowed' night vision equipment from the military for specific applications. Although this equipment is no longer available from the military, Maine Wardens now own this technology which has been drastically improved to allow a much sharper and brighter image even in very low light conditions. What does Night Vision look like and how does it work?

Night vision is an optical device that may be attached to an aviator's helmet or operates like a hand held monocular. These devices rely on a technology that utilizes existing light which is collected by the objective lens and focused on the image intensifier. Inside the image intensifier a photo cathode absorbs this light energy and converts it into electrons. These electrons are then drawn toward a phosphor screen but first pass through a micro channel plate that multiplies them thousands of times. When this highly intensified electron image strikes the phosphor screen, it causes the screen to emit light that you can see. Since the phosphor screen emits this light in exactly the same pattern and degrees of intensity as the light that is collected by the objective lens, the bright nighttime image viewed in the eyepiece corresponds precisely to the outside scene you are viewing.

This technology expands the hours available for search and rescue and surveillance because wardens in the air, or on the ground, have access to this equipment. Many poaching activities take place after dark where the warden was formerly at an extreme disadvantage. Usually poachers will not use a light while committing the illegal act. Formerly, wardens were unable to see what activity was taking place and were therefore routinely placed in extremely dangerous situations. Now, utilizing Night Vision wardens can see how many people are involved, their exact location and the illegal activity.

In addition to the high technology described above, video cameras can now be linked with GPS. The Warden Service is now using this technology in their aircraft. A 24X video camera is attached to the outside of the aircraft adjacent to the pilot's door. The tape cartridge is loaded into a unit located within the cockpit so tapes can be changed very quickly. The system has a monitor onboard so the observer can run the camera with little difficulty. Through the use of a Horita interface card longitude and latitude output from the GPS is printed on the film. Also, FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared Radar) is attached to the nose of the aircraft that can detect very small amounts of heat. Aviators can detect any size animal and pinpoint it's location. As you can "see", FLIR is a critical tool used when searching for lost persons!