‘North Woods Law’ cast attracts fans to Maine Wildlife Park

Stars of “North Woods Law,” a reality TV show focusing on Maine’s game wardens, spent the day mingling with fans at the Maine Wildlife Park on Sept. 28 for “North Woods Law Day.” About 1,400 people visited the park that day, according to park records.

“North Woods Law” fans line up to meet the cast of the show on Sept. 28 during “North Woods Law Day” at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray.

Young and old, fans lined up to take photos with the famous game wardens and have a variety of memorabilia signed, from hunting caps to free posters available at the event.

Many “North Woods Law” stars were in attendance. Game wardens Tim Spahr, Jonathan Parker, Dan Carroll, Scott Thrasher and Kris MacCabe with K9 Morgan met fans during the morning session; and game warden Rick LaFlamme, Alan Curtis with K9 Cruizer, Pete Herring and Kris MacCabe were scheduled for the afternoon session.

Many of the fans chatted with the game wardens about the TV show’s upcoming second season, which will premiere at 10 p.m. Oct. 3 on Animal Planet. The popular show just began filming its third season in Maine, which will feature both current and new game wardens.

Maine game warden Scott Thrasher, who stars on the Animal Planet TV show “North Woods Law,” poses with Lauren Weber, 8, of Cumberland, on Sept. 28, at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray.

“I want to be a Maine game warden when I grow up,” was the mantra of the day, repeated by many young fans of the show.

“That’s the best thing to hear,” said LaFlamme, standing at a table ready to greet the long line of fans that had formed during the wardens’ lunch break.

“Where are you from?” MacCabe asked 8-year-old Gavin Willett.

“Monmouth,” the boy replied, holding out his poster for MacCabe to sign.

“No way. That’s where I grew up,” MacCabe said, and Gavin’s eyes lit up.

Maine game warden Kris MacCabe, who stars on the Animal Planet TV show “North Woods Law,” signs the hat of 8-year-old Gavin Willett of Monmouth on Sept. 28, “North Woods Law Day” at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray.

Gavin’s mother, Laura Carignan, took a photo of the two Monmouth natives together before moving down the line of game wardens to collect more autographs. MacCabe was Gavin’s favorite character in the show, and he was happy to have a special connection to him, his mother said.

For the park, the event was an opportunity to attract new visitors. Open daily — 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., April 15-Nov. 11 — the park currently is home to more than 30 species of native wildlife, including black bears, moose, white-tailed deer, skunk, porcupine, eagles, owls, turtles, bobcats, lynx and more. The park also features wildlife gardens, nature trails, a fish hatchery and other interactive exhibits and displays.

Below is a gallery of photos taken at the event:

To get a glimpse of the upcoming season of “North Woods Law” and watch a recap of the best moments of the first season, which aired in 2012, visit http://animal.discovery.com/tv-shows/north-woods-law.

For information about the Maine Wildlife Park, call 657-4977 or visit www.mainewildlifepark.com.

Aislinn Sarnacki

About Aislinn Sarnacki

Aislinn is a Bangor Daily News reporter for the Outdoors pages, focusing on outdoor recreation and Maine wildlife. Visit her main blog at actoutwithaislinn.bangordailynews.com.