Maine Warden Service annual honors
AUGUSTA – Game Warden Investigator Ethan Buuck of Division B in Sidney was honored by his peers as the Maine Game Warden of the Year for 2024. Game Warden Sgt. Justin Fowlie of the midcoast region was honored as supervisor of the year and retired Game Warden Sgt. Dennis McIntosh was honored as Legendary Game Warden of the Year. The awards were presented at the Maine Warden Service 145th anniversary awards banquet on March 21.
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Judy Camuso was the featured speaker for the ceremony, and she discussed the notable accomplishments of the warden service and the Department from the past year, as well as the significance of the Maine Warden Service marking 145 years as the oldest conservation law enforcement agency in the country.
“Much has changed since game wardens first patrolled the state 145 years ago, yet one thing remains constant through the breadth of those years, and that is the Maine Warden Service’s unwavering commitment to protect Maine’s natural resources and its people” said Camuso. “I look in front of me, and can gratefully state, some things, however, have not changed. The uniform and equipment may be different, but it is what is inside of those in uniform that has remained constant, and that is what is paramount.”
The awards ceremony gives special recognition to game wardens for exceptional performance during 2024. Awards are given for the Maine Game Warden of the Year, Game Warden Supervisor of the Year, the Legendary Game Warden of the Year, as well as awards for conduct above the normal line of duty, outstanding work that merits special attention and recognizes individuals and groups who assisted the Maine Warden Service.
Achievements that were recognized included incidents where lives were saved, and other awards highlighted the conservation of Maine’s fish and wildlife resources in ways deserving of special recognition. The following were recipients of this year’s annual awards.
Dennis McIntosh, a retired Maine game warden sergeant, is the 2025 Legendary Game Warden due to his outstanding career. McIntosh served in the U.S. Air Force before pursuing a degree in conservation law enforcement at Unity College, and joined the Maine Warden Service in 1974. He began his career in the Chamberlain Lake District and later transferred to Embden, where he became known for his relentless pursuit of poachers. In Chamberlain Lake, McIntosh often worked with other game wardens on the Canadian moose hunt, focusing on illegal hunters who crossed the border in order to take an illegal moose. In Embden, he quickly became well known for his relentless pursuit of night hunters and his dogged persistence of following up on tips and leads.
McIntosh served as a dive recovery team member for 15 years, bringing closure to many families by recovering loved ones who had drowned. In 1986, he transferred to the Gray District, where he mentored younger wardens, instilling strong work ethic, dedication and pride in the service. As a supervisor, McIntosh led by example, working side by side with his team and remaining committed to catching intentional violators.
Promoted to sergeant in 1996, McIntosh continued to exemplify the values of the Maine Warden Service until his retirement in 2001. He is remembered for his unwavering dedication to the resource, the warden service and his colleagues. His legacy of mentorship, work ethic, bravery and love for his work makes him a deserving candidate for the 2025 Legendary Game Warden award.
Exemplary Service Awards:
Game Warden Troy Dauphinee of the Guilford District for his tireless work in apprehending an impaired snowmobile driver.
Game Warden Paul Mason of the Brownville District for his work in apprehending a poacher who was killing bear illegally on land he was not allowed to hunt on.
Game Warden Mark Hutcheson of the Clayton Lake District for his help in the rescue of two snowmobilers who had gone through the ice on Churchill Lake.