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AUGUSTA — The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is looking for nominations for the 2019 Wilmot “Wiggie” Robinson Legendary Guide Award.
Registered Maine Guides are experienced and passionate outdoors men and women, and each year since 2009, the department has recognized one with the award, which is presented at the annual banquet in April.
The deadline for nominations is Jan. 10. A nomination form can be downloaded at www.maine.gov/ifw. Criteria are:
* Must meet 20 year anniversary as a Registered Maine Guide, and have been an active guide for 10 years;
* Passes a criminal background check, law-abiding citizen with no arrests for committing a crime related to human injury, gun laws or major hunting or fishing violations for 20 years;
* Volunteer community service, providing education about safety and survival in the Maine woods, introducing and educating youth about the importance of the ecosystem found in the state;
* Active on boards or committees that enhance and promote the importance of Maine’s outdoor resources, such as youth programs, scout leader, conservation education, safety instructor, search and rescue volunteer, active in Fish and Game club(s), guide license examiner, etc.
Last year’s winner was Lance Wheaton of Forest City, in Washington County. He was the 10th Registered Maine Guide to receive the honor.
Wheaton has been a full-time guide for more than 55 years, and is a lifetime member of the Maine Professional Guides Association, a past member of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Advisory Council, an original director of the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust, a builder of about 100 guide canoes. He has also spent hundreds of hours working for conservation efforts.
Other winners are Wilmot “Wiggie” Robinson (posthumously) 2009, Gil Gilpatrick 2010, Gary Corson 2011, Gardner Defoe 2012, Matthew P. Libby 2013, Don Dudley 2014, Danny Legere 2015, Richard Scribner 2016 and Donald E. Helstrom Jr. 2017.
