The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife seeks nominations for the Wilmot (Wiggie) Robinson Legendary Maine Guide Award.

Registered Maine Guides are experienced and passionate outdoors men and women, and each year the department recognizes a member of the guiding community with the award.

Criteria for this prestigious award is as follows:

• Must meet 20 year anniversary as a Registered Maine Guide, and have been an active guide for 10 years.

• Must pass a criminal background check, and be a law-abiding citizen with no arrests for committing a crime related to human injury, gun laws or major hunting or fishing violations for 20 years.

• Must have completed volunteer community service, providing education about safety and survival in the Maine woods, and introducing and educating youth about the importance of the ecosystem found in Maine.

• Must be active on boards or committees that enhance and promote the importance of Maine’s outdoor resources. These include youth programs, scout leadership, conservation education, safety instruction, search and rescue volunteerism, being active in fish and game club membership, or being a guide license examiner.

This award will be presented to the recipient at the annual Maine Professional Guides Association banquet planned for the coming spring.

Those who know a deserving Registered Maine Guide can complete and submit a nomination by Monday, Jan. 10. The nomination packet can be downloaded (maine.gov/ifw//docs/Legendary-Guide-Nomination-Packet.pdf).

Carroll Ware, a longtime guide from Skowhegan, was honored by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife with the Wiggie Robinson Legendary Maine Guide Award for 2020. The award was presented by MDIFW Commissioner Judy Camuso in a small ceremony at the MDIFW headquarters. Contributed photo

Carroll Ware, a longtime guide from Skowhegan, received the Wiggie Robinson Legendary Maine Guide Award for 2020. The award was presented by MDIFW Commissioner Judy Camuso in a small ceremony at the MDIFW headquarters.

Ware became a registered Maine Guide in 1989, and he has been busy in the Maine outdoors nearly every moment since. He and his wife Lila have operated Fins and Furs Adventures for over 30 years, providing adventures not only throughout Maine, but also in international sporting destinations throughout the world.

Ware and his wife operated Bosebuck Camps along the shore of Lake Aziscohos for years, delivering a Maine sporting camp experience to hundreds of anglers and hunters. They also operated a longtime school for students interested in becoming a Maine guide, passing along the skills and traditions necessary to become a successful guide.

He also is active in the Skowhegan community as part of the Elks organization, and has mentored at-risk youth in the field of boxing, as well as being a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. He regularly donates much of his wild game to friends and neighbors, as well as the local food pantry.