North Woods Law Season 3 Episode 2 Turkey Dog

As autumn approaches in the woods of Maine, the hunters are out in full force, and the game wardens are out too. North Woods Law season 3 episode 2, "Turkey Dog," follows the game wardens of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife as they patrol the woods and waterways of the state, enforcing laws and protecting wildlife.

The episode focuses on two main stories. The first involves game warden's Tim Spahr and Kris MacCabe. They're on patrol in the town of Standish when they receive a call about a hunter who shot a turkey but failed to retrieve it. The wardens set out to find the lost bird, accompanied by a labrador retriever named Ruger who's trained to locate game. The dog quickly zeroes in, but when they arrive at the spot, the wardens find only a pile of feathers, indicating that some other animal has taken the turkey. They continue the search, but as darkness falls, they're forced to call it off. The next day, they return to the area with Ruger and find the missing turkey, intact, and still fresh enough for the hunter to keep. It's a small victory, but it's the kind of victory that the game wardens strive for.

The second story centers around game warden Wayne Saunders and his K9 partner, Sig. They're on the trail of a group of illegal deer hunters who've been spotlighting- using a high-intensity light to blind deer- and then shooting them. The wardens have received reports of shots being fired at night near a remote lake, so they set up a stakeout and wait for the poachers to show up. After several quiet hours, the wardens notice a truck approaching. They turn on their own spotlight and order the driver to stop. The driver complies, but as the wardens approach, they spot another poacher, who takes off running. Wayne and Sig chase after him through the dark woods, and eventually, Sig picks up a scent and leads Wayne straight to the suspect, who's hiding behind a tree. The poacher is caught red-handed with a loaded rifle and an illegal deer he'd just shot. He's arrested and will face charges for night hunting, using lights to take deer, and possessing a loaded firearm at night.

Throughout "Turkey Dog," we also get a glimpse of the daily routines and challenges that come with being a Maine game warden. We see Wardens Dave Chabot and Glen Annis doing a routine check of a popular inland fishing spot, checking licenses and making sure anglers are complying with regulations. We see them rescuing a group of kayakers who've gotten stuck on rocks in a fast-moving river. We see Warden Joe Canfield investigating reports of a bear breaking into people's homes and stealing food, and trying to find a way to deter the bear from returning. And we see Warden Jonathan Parker tending to an injured eagle that someone found on the side of the road, hoping to nurse it back to health.

"Turkey Dog" is typical of North Woods Law, with its mix of action, suspense, and glimpses into the natural beauty of Maine. The game wardens are the stars of the show, and they're portrayed as competent, compassionate, and committed to their jobs. They deal with all sorts of situations, from mundane to life-threatening, and they do it with a sense of humor and camaraderie. The K9 officers are especially impressive, using their keen senses to track down suspects, locate lost hikers, and recover evidence.

Overall, North Woods Law season 3 episode 2, "Turkey Dog," is a solid entry in the series, giving viewers a taste of what it's like to be a Maine game warden, and providing plenty of entertainment along the way.