Pomerleau earns statewide honor
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
GAME WARDEN HONORED — Preston Pomerleau, a game warden based out of the Maine Warden Service’s Ashland headquarters, was recently named Wildlife Officer of the Year, during the National Wild Turkey Federation’s spring dinner and auction in Presque Isle. Pictured from left are: Brian Smith, NWTF regional director; Warden Preston Pomerleau and MWS Lt. Tom Ward.
PRESQUE ISLE — At the annual National Wild Turkey Federation dinner and auction, held recently at the Northeastland Hotel in Presque Isle, a law enforcement officer from Aroostook County was recognized as this year’s Wildlife Officer of the Year.
Game Warden Preston Pomerleau was cited for his investigation and subsequent arrest of an individual who had illegally hunted turkey in the Ashland area. Presenting the award were Brian Smith, NWTF regional director, and Lt. Thomas Ward, of the Maine Warden Service.
“Four or five years ago efforts began to reintroduce turkeys to parts of northern Aroostook County. To date, 400-500 birds have been relocated to various communities, including near my home in Masardis,” said Ward.
Ward indicated it was near his home where Pomerleau discovered illegal hunting had occurred.
“Preston got a case of the first bird shot illegally by my house. A fellow put a picture on his Facebook account. Preston used that information to locate the juvenile responsible,” said Ward.
Pomerleau said the case dates back to October 2010.
“Charges weren’t made until January 2011. A turkey was shot illegally with a rifle and a young man posted a picture of himself with the dead turkey on Facebook. There is currently no turkey hunting season in the Ashland area, and therefore the turkey was killed out of an open Wildlife Management District (WMD) and was killed out of season, through illegal turkey hunting methods,” said Pomerleau.
The turkey that was killed on the Garfield Road was shot with a rifle and received severe damages from the impact of the bullet and was not used for human consumption, according to Pomerleau.
“The local young man (a minor) was charged with possession of wild turkey taken in violation,” said Pomerleau.
Turkeys have been released from Masardis to Perham and other locations around the County. Officials are pleased with the birds’ survival in the region so far. Thanks to efforts like those of Pomerleau, the turkey population continues to grow, with authorities hoping one day to open the area to hunting.
“We’re proud of Preston and the work he’s doing in northern Maine. He’s settled in to the Ashland area and is a great fit in the community,” said Ward.
