The Maine Warden Service hired a new pilot to complement its air wing division. Pilot Christopher Hilton, 32, from Brunswick was sworn in today in Augusta before Warden Service staff and family. Hilton will serve in the Bureau's third pilot position and began working as game warden pilot on Sunday, October 1.

 

Hilton had formerly been with the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) as a Marine Patrol Officer from the Georgetown area. He began as a Marine Patrol Officer in 2007 where he spent time as a tactical boat operator, field training officer and commercial boat captain operating DMR's large boat fleet to include their 35 to 46 foot offshore watercraft, according to a news release from the warden service.

 

Hilton's education came from Unity College where he earned a bachelor's degree in conservation law enforcement. He also holds his advanced open water dive certificate and Registered Maine Guide [hunting] license.

 

Hilton's flying background includes a commercial pilot rating, single engine land and sea (float plane) ratings and an instrument rating. For many years, Hilton has been steadily building the flight and skills necessary to be a successful game warden pilot.

 

Hilton is also an avid outdoorsman and has engaged in hunting, fishing, trapping and archery for many years. He is married with two children and his family is planning their move to the Greenville area where he will be flying out of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's Stobie Airbase on Moosehead Lake in Greenville.

 

According to the warden service: “This pilot position will greatly enhance the Bureau's mission to aid in search and rescue missions, conservation law enforcement, fisheries and wildlife resource management and research as well as assisting other agencies when called upon. Maine Game Warden Major Chris Cloutier stated today that ‘in addition to his ten-plus years of law enforcement experience, Chris has been building a strong aviation background. Chris is extremely team oriented, has a strong work ethic and will be a valuable asset to our aviation program.’”