Ep 10. Buck Fever

In episode 10 of season 7, North Woods Law explores the phenomenon of Buck Fever. It's the time of year when over a hundred thousand hunters head into the woods of Maine in search of that trophy buck. For the Maine Warden Service, this means an increase in calls and checks to ensure everyone is following the rules and staying safe.

The episode starts with Warden Dana Austin responding to a call from a homeowner who has discovered a wounded deer in their front yard. The deer is badly injured and Dana needs to put it down humanely. It's a tough job, but it's part of what the wardens do to keep the deer population under control.

Meanwhile, Warden Alan Curtis is in the field responding to a complaint about a hunter who has shot a deer out of season. Alan is a member of the Maine Warden Service's K-9 unit and works with his dog, Cruz, to track down the hunter and gather evidence. It's a tense and emotional scene as Alan confronts the poacher and Cruz picks up the scent of the illegal deer.

Back at headquarters, Sergeant Tim Spahr is receiving reports of hunters breaking the law. Tim is responsible for coordinating the wardens' efforts during the hunting season and knows that prevention is key to keeping everyone safe. He sends Wardens Jeremy Judd and Jeff Taylor to check out a complaint of hunters using bait to attract deer, which is illegal in Maine.

Jeremy and Jeff find evidence of baiting and set up a stakeout to catch the hunters in the act. It's a waiting game, and they spend hours hunkered down in a blind, watching and waiting for the hunters to return. When the hunters finally show up, Jeremy and Jeff confront them and gather evidence to lay charges.

Finally, Warden Alan Curtis responds to a call about a hunter who has shot a deer and can't find it. This is a common problem during deer season, as hunters can lose sight of a wounded animal in thick woods. Alan and Cruz work together to track the blood trail left by the deer and find it just before it dies.

Buck Fever is a tense and emotional episode of North Woods Law that showcases the work of the Maine Warden Service during hunting season. The wardens are tasked with enforcing regulations and keeping hunters safe, while also managing the deer population and protecting the natural ecosystem.