Department seeks nominations for legendary Maine Guide award

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in Augusta is seeking nominations for the annual Wiggie Robinson Legendary Maine Guide Award.

Those who know a registered Maine guide who might be a deserving candidate for this award can submit a nomination online by Friday, Feb. 17, at maine.gov/ifw.

This award is presented annually in memory of Master Maine Guide Wilmot “Wiggie” Robinson. To be considered as a recipient of the award, an individual must have held an active guide’s license for a minimum of 20 consecutive years and worked actively as a guide for at least a cumulative total of 10 years, according to a news release from the Augusta-based department.

Ideal candidates have actively volunteered or served in their community sharing their experience or offering education related to safety and survival in the Maine woods and/or educating youth about the importance of the ecosystem found in Maine.

Additionally, the candidate has been 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, fish and game clubs, and guide license examiner.

This past year’s recipient, Polly Mahoney of Newry, was the 13th recipient of the award. Mahoney has been a guide for more than 30 years and is the co-owner and operator of Mahoosuc Guide Service. As an active member in her community, she has taught at Bryant Pond Conservation Camp, presented at the Common Ground fair, spoke at numerous schools libraries and universities such as Harvard, and has worked with Native American tribes to help them develop outdoor tourism businesses.

She has also shared her expertise by mentoring young people who have an interest in the outdoors and who have gone on to become guides.

This award will be presented to the recipient at the annual Maine Professional Guides Association banquet in April.

For more information, visit the website or email becky.orff@maine.gov.