Wardens search for missing snowmobiler

By Stuart Hedstrom 
Staff Writer

    The Maine Warden Service is still looking for a 67-year-old Quebec man after a search in northern Piscataquis County on Dec. 2 failed to locate him. According to a press release, the search party for Renald Poulin included 20 game wardens and 28 volunteer searchers with Maine Association of SAR Dogs (MESARD) along with three Warden Service K-9 teams and three MESARD K-9 teams.

    Wardens have been communicating directly with Poulin’s family and have learned valuable information related to his abilities and habits. Wardens confirmed that he does in fact consider the inactive train rail systems to be among his favorite snowmobiling destinations. The snow and wet damp weather has made searching more difficult. Snow fell across T6 R13 with three to four inches accumulating, posing problems on the rough and swampy terrain.
    On Dec. 3 the Warden Service planned to continue to search nearby wooded areas, travelways and waterway shorelines. The Maine Warden Service Dive Team may deploy near Umbazooksus Dam where Poulin’s abandoned vehicle was found.
    Agencies assisting in search efforts include the Maine Forest Service, U.S. Border Patrol, Unity College Search and Rescue Team (SAR), Baxter State Park Rangers, Mid-Maine SAR, Mount Desert Island SAR, Pinetree SAR and the MESARD.