Open Season

True Stories of the Maine Warden Service

By: Daren Worcester

Narrated by: Chris Reilly

Before reality TV, GPS devices, and dashboard computers, there was a coming of age for the Maine Warden Service. It was a time when a compass, map, and one's wits were what mattered most in the field. Every day offered the potential for an exciting new adventure, many of which endangered the wardens' lives.

Recreating the full warden experience, Open Season includes 20 stories from two former colonels, two lieutenants, two sergeants, four district wardens, a warden pilot, and one currently active-duty corporal. Altogether, their cumulative experiences account for more than 300 years of North Woods law.

In addition to hair-raising, life-and-death scenarios, the collection covers moments such as a child innocently outing his parents as "looking for deer" at night, the doldrums of a stakeout, and the grief of tragedy. You'll live through the eyes of these 12 wardens and feel the excitement of a twig snapped in the dark...the frustration of second-guessing yourself when lives are at stake...and the duty to do what's right, even when it means breaking the law.

©2017 Daren Worcester (P)2021 Tantor

Good stories, but narration is terrible.

While the stories were great, the narrators monotone voice and poor cadence were very distracting, and overshadowed what could have been a great listen.