Husband and wife Kris and Emily MacCabe both work for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries of Wildlife. Kris is a district game warden with the Maine Warden Service. He is also featured in Animal Planet's North Woods Law. Emily is a public relations representative in the MDIFW’s Information & Education Division.

Kris has a Bachelor of Science in wildlife ecology from UMaine-Orono and Emily has a Bachelor of Science in environmental science with a concentration in conservation law enforcement from Unity College.

Attendees of the 4th annual Harvest Hoot family festival at the Snow Bowl Saturday, Sept. 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. will have a chance to visit with the MacCabes and learn more about their jobs working for, in and with the Maine outdoors. We asked them a few questions to get to know them a little better ahead of Saturday’s Harvest Hoot.

Q: What do you do in your job?

Kris: I enforce all laws in the state of Maine, but primarily those related to hunting, fishing and recreational motor vehicles. I also perform search and rescue operations and investigate boating, ATV and snowmobile accidents. I am also a K9 handler.

Emily: I oversee several outdoor educational programs that are directed toward youth and families and plan special events. I do social media marketing for the department as well as set up and attend outdoor expos and hunting and fishing shows. I also oversee the merchandising program, which helps fund our educational and outreach programs.

Q: What is the hardest part of your job?

Kris: The job of a Maine Game Warden is very physically demanding. I work hard to stay in good shape so I can perform my job duties at a high level. We often work long and unpredictable hours.

Emily: Time management. I am often running several events in a short period of time, which can mean a ton of work and can be mentally and physically exhausting. Luckily I am very organized and I'm good at multi-tasking! Because I work in public relations I am often inundated with emails, phone calls and inquiries from the public. It can be hard to keep up with but I strive to provide the best service to our "customers" as possible.

Q: What do you love most about your job?

Kris: I love the Maine outdoors and I enjoy protecting our natural resources to ensure that they are here for future generations.

Emily: I really enjoy the opportunity to teach others to love the outdoors as much as I do and to inspire them to become good stewards of our natural resources.

Q: What's a surprising aspect of your job that people wouldn't expect?

Kris: The frequency in which I attend public events and visit classrooms, speaking to civic organizations and youth groups. It can be difficult to balance my regular duties and the amount of time spent at these types of engagements, but I do feel it is important to help others learn about what we do.

Emily: I get to spend a lot of time outdoors and my job can be very hands-on. Because I teach a youth fishing program I am often on the water (or ice) helping others learn how to freshwater fish. I love fishing in Maine so I consider it a big perk.

Q: What were the most important subjects in study or school, so that you could be ready to learn how to be a game warden (Kris)/outdoor educator (Emily)?

Kris: Public speaking. But also the courses I took in wildlife ecology helped prepare me for the frequent interactions I have with Maine's wildlife and also allows me to help the public deal with issues they may have with nuisance wildlife.

Emily: The classes that I took in high school and college that are most useful in my job were public speaking and interpersonal relations. In both of our jobs we interact with the public on a daily basis in a variety of ways and under varied circumstances. Learning how to communicate both verbally and in writing is critical.

Q: What sorts of skills did you need in order to successfully complete the hiring process for the Maine Warden Service?

Kris: Writing skills are very important, as well as strong computer skills. We spend a great deal of time on computers and writing reports. It is also important to be physically fit.

Emily: Although my position at MDIFW is slightly outside of my field of study, I know that being involved in my community during my school years and taking every opportunity that I could to network helped me build a strong resume and a varied background that made me a solid candidate.

Q: What message would you like to send young people about the role that school plays in preparing them for whatever they choose to do next?

Kris & Emily: School is essential. It isn't just about classes, exams, homework or getting a perfect grade. Your school years are your opportunity to grow and become who you are. Being in school forms a big part of your ability to work with others and be part of a community. Teachers, mentors, friends and other role models help you gain experiences that are critical to your future.

Alex Owre is director of development for Five Town Communities That Care.