"Pictured: IWC President Rick Olson, Warden Chad Robertson, and IWC Executive Director Wayne Saunders.

Vassalboro, Maine (August 14, 2023) -- The International Wildlife Crimestoppers, a non-profit organization comprising game wardens and conservation officers across the United States and Canada dedicated to reducing the illegal poaching of North America’s fish and wildlife resources, today announced Game Warden Chad Robertson, of the Maine Warden Service, as the 2023 IWC Guidefitter Game Warden of the Year. This prestigious award honors a game warden that has made a distinct difference in people's lives and in conserving natural resources.

In 2021, the IWC and award sponsor, Guidefitter, established the IWC Guidefitter Game Warden of the Year Award to recognize the accomplishments and deeds of individual Game Wardens across the United States and Canada. Nominations for the award are sourced from across the industry, and nominees undergo a rigorous selection process.

"Being a game warden is a calling that demands immense sacrifice, braving harsh conditions and time away from loved ones to protect our natural resources and more,” said IWC Board President Rick Olson. “Selecting the game warden of the year is challenging, as each nominee exemplifies above-and-beyond dedication, courage, and resilience to get the job done. Winning this title is a testament to the warden's exceptional service and a symbol of respect from their peers in the field."

Warden Robertson was nominated jointly by Lieutenant Aaron Cross, Sergeant Chris Simmons, and Sergeant Tom McKinney of the Maine Warden Service. Their nomination highlighted Robertson’s commitment to going above and beyond, his ability to see the broader picture to transform a great case into a phenomenal case, his attention to detail, and his willingness to help other wardens with his well-versed criminal procedure knowledge and mentoring of new wardens.

Most notable is his season-long investigation of a hunting over bait and poaching case that resulted in 15 summonses between 5 different people. Additionally, Chad is part of the Maine Warden Service K9 unit, and his commitment to searches with his K9 partner Storm is unparalleled. Recently while searching for a missing person, Warden Robertson and Storm covered over twenty miles through the night, resting only for 30 minutes. The search was successful. They found the missing woman, who was cold, wet, and hungry but alive.

“I am so honored and humbled to receive this award and am incredibly thankful for the support I’ve received from my fellow wardens, not only in Maine but across the broader network of fellow game officers and support personnel,” said Warden Robertson. “I’m also thankful for the IWC and their tireless support for the industry. The IWC and its members are making a difference in helping us fight poachers everywhere to protect fish, wildlife, and habitat across North America.”

Beyond the industry recognition, IWC and Guidefitter have teamed up to award Officer Robertson $1,000 for the exclusive purchase of outdoor gear through Guidefitter. Guidefitter provides game wardens, conservation officers, and other outdoor professionals access to hundreds of pro-purchase programs from leading outdoor brands. These brands appreciate the often-thankless work that outdoor professionals like Warden Robertson do and have partnered with Guidefitter to provide VIP benefits to these outdoor pros as a show of support.

For more information about the IWC, please visit wildlifecrimestoppers.org. For more information about Guidefitter, please visit Guidefitter.com. If you are a game warden or other outdoor professional and want to learn more about accessing outdoor industry benefits from Guidefitter partners, please visit Guidefitter.com/insiders.

About International Wildlife Crimestoppers

International Wildlife Crimestoppers (IWC) is North America's leading anti-poaching organization, committed to protecting the continent's diverse fish and wildlife resources. IWC is a non-profit organization founded by wildlife resources officers that takes a comprehensive conservation law enforcement approach to combat poaching across the United States and Canada.

IWC operates within a network of anti-poaching agencies, sharing vital information to enhance the effectiveness of conservation efforts. The organization is dedicated to promoting public education on the differences between sustainable use and poaching, with a particular emphasis on youth education, thereby creating a force multiplier for law enforcement charged with protecting these valuable resources.

In addition to its educational initiatives, IWC provides funding for specialized enforcement equipment and offers a cash reward program to assist its member states and provinces with major cases. The organization encourages individuals to be vigilant and report any poaching activity to their regional authorities, fostering a community-wide effort to preserve natural resources.

Based in Vassalboro, Maine, IWC is steadfast in its mission to halt the illegal hunting of wildlife, ensuring the continued diversity and beauty of North America's landscapes. For more information on how you can support the fight against poaching, visit www.wildlifecrimestoppers.org. Together, we can work to protect our wildlife resources for generations to come.

Media Contact:
wildlifecrimestoppers@gmail.com.

About Guidefitter

Guidefitter is the online community and e-commerce marketplace of choice for genuine outdoor industry professionals and other enthusiasts who love to enjoy the great outdoors. We are pioneering the outdoor industry's first online experience where brands, true outdoor pros, and consumers engage in a shared digital community, marketing, and e-commerce platform oriented around a shared passion for outdoor recreation and great gear. Industry pros have access to hundreds of pro purchase programs from a central location, tools to easily promote the brands they love, and a like-minded community to demonstrate their abilities and expertise. Consumers benefit from a community that understands their passion for the outdoors, access to thousands of outfitters through a comprehensive search engine, and opportunities to discover and purchase great gear based on the insights from people who know better than anyone - true outdoor professionals. Over 300 outdoor brands, including Vortex Optics, Kenetrek Boots, Weatherby, Polaris RANGER, and SMITH Optics, work with Guidefitter to promote their brand with authentic messages through large, managed audiences of genuine outdoor professionals. Guidefitter is headquartered in Bozeman, Montana. For more information, please visit www.guidefitter.com, and follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

Media Contact:
media@guidefitter.com.