Ep 5. Moose In The City

In season 15 episode 5 of North Woods Law, titled "Moose in the City," viewers get a glimpse into the wilds of Maine as wardens and biologists work together to manage the state's wildlife and habitats. This episode focuses on the challenges faced when moose enter urban areas, creating a unique and sometimes dangerous situation for both the animals and local residents.

The program kicks off with a call to the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife dispatcher from concerned citizens of greater Portland, ME about a moose walking down the street in their residential neighborhood. Warden Adam Cheney responds to the call and is able to coax the moose off the street and guide it back into the nearby woods.

The scene shifts to the Moose Wildlife Management Area, where a team of biologists are tranquilizing moose in order to fit them with GPS collars. The collars will allow biologists to track the moose and monitor their movements and health. But before the team can get started on this important work, they must first locate the moose in the dense forest.

Later, we see Warden Alan Curtis and his canine partner, Cruiser, responding to a call from a local police department reporting that a moose is stuck in a fence. Upon arrival, they find that the young bull has managed to get his antlers stuck in the fencing, causing him to panic. Curtis quickly assesses the situation, and with the help of Cruiser, is able to cut the fencing away from the moose's antlers and set him free.

Back in Portland, Warden Rob Ramos gets a call from a resident who has reported seeing a moose wandering around a busy parking lot. Ramos knows that this could be a dangerous situation for both the animal and the public, so he rushes to the scene to assess the situation. Upon arrival, he sees that the moose is becoming increasingly agitated by the crowds of people gathered around it, so he calls for backup.

Meanwhile, in northern Maine, Warden Kris MacCabe is helicopter flying over the vast wilderness, looking for any signs of illegal deer hunting. He spots a large party of hunters that appears to be using illegal tactics to hunt deer out of season. MacCabe lands the helicopter and confronts the group, who are understandably defensive. After a tense conversation, the wardens are able to determine that the hunters were simply making a mistake and using outdated hunting tactics. The hunters are let off with a warning, and MacCabe continues his patrol.

As the sun sets in Portland, Warden Chad Robertson and the local fire department respond to a call that a moose has been hit by a car and is lying in the road. When they arrive, they find that the moose is badly injured and they must put it down to prevent further suffering. This is a heartbreaking moment for the wardens, who work tirelessly to protect Maine's wildlife, but sometimes must make hard choices in the best interest of animal welfare.

The episode ends with Warden Curtis receiving a call about a moose running loose on the highway, showing that the work of the wardens and biologists never ends when it comes to managing the state's wildlife. Overall, this episode showcases the work of North Woods Law in a dramatic and exciting way, highlighting the challenges and rewards of protecting Maine's natural resources.