Maine Warden Service locates lost hunter after he spent a night in the woods

T10 R10 — A 70-year-old hunter was located on the afternoon of Oct. 29 by the Maine Warden Service in northern Piscataquis County after spending a night in the woods.

Caribou resident Maurice Pelletier had gone bird hunting alone on Oct. 28, and had got out of his vehicle to shoot a grouse. Upon seeing a second grouse flying into the woods, Pelletier followed it into the woods, was able to shoot it but he became disoriented in the thick woods and was unable to find his way out back to his jeep which he had left with the motor running and the door open.

Pelletier built a fire in order to stay warm, and spent the night in the woods. The next morning some hunters found Pelletier’s vehicle with the door open and the engine still running, and contacted the Maine Warden Service.

Game Warden Preston Pomerleau and his K9 Gordon quickly found signs of Pelletier, including the remnants of a fire, fresh cut fir boughs and food. Ten game wardens intensified their search in that area, and called in a warden service pilot to help search the area.

Pelletier, once hearing the plane circling overhead, found an opening in the forest and was building a signal fire when Warden Pilot Jeff Spencer located him and directed game wardens to his location. Wardens found Pelletier, and found him in good health, and assisted Pelletier out of the woods to his vehicle. He did not need medical attention.

“If you are headed out hunting this season, please let someone know where you are going to hunt and when you plan to be back. Also, be prepared to spend a night in the woods in case you get turned around,” said Maine Warden Service Lt. Tom Ward. “If Mr. Pelletier was not as prepared as he was, this could have had a much worse outcome.”