Search Party. (The Bulletin Notes).

During two separate snowstorms, Maine Game Warden Pilots Durward Humphrey and Jason Bouchard received calls to rescue lost hunters. Late on a snowy night, Warden Pilot Humphrey responded to a call of a hunter lost in the woods, who he found quite far from the search party. Warden Pilot Humphrey gave his latitude and longitude, but the weather was deteriorating rapidly. Unable to take his attention off the weather or controls to look at his map, Warden Pilot Humphrey landed on a lake, breaking ice as he landed. Because of Warden Pilot Humphrey's commitment, the search party was able to reach the hunter and safely rescue him. Several weeks later, another hunter became lost during a fast approaching snowstorm. Three wardens and several local woodsmen began an exhaustive search, which continued throughout the night. In the early morning hours, flying conditions remained poor, but Warden Pilot Bouchard flew at low altitudes using various waterways and landmarks to navigate to the search area. Knowing that his fuel supply was low, he arranged for a landing strip to be plowed so he could land and refuel. After refueling and flying for another 15 minutes, Warden Pilot Bouchard located the lost hunter, circled him, and directed two teams of wardens who were on the ground searching in the area. Warden Pilots Humphrey and Bouchard exhibited courage, skill, and extraordinary efforts in extremely dangerous weather conditions to save the lives of these individuals.