According to a recent two-part series in the Maine Northwoods Sporting Journal, morale within the ranks of the Maine Warden Service is not good. In fact, the report in the Journal, which was based on a survey that was returned by 41 out of 95 Game Wardens, reveals a deep tide of resentment and dissatisfaction among district wardens that may be unprecedented in the Warden Service’s long and proud history.

“Morale is the lowest I’ve seen in my 18 years of service,” wrote one warden.

The survey results are, as the story says, ” a portrait of an agency in crisis.”

Although the survey and its accompanying story revealed other internal problems within the ranks of the Maine Warden Service that no doubt have contributed to the morale problem, this issue alone must be a source of concern to all Maine citizens. After all, our men and women who wear the green uniforms make up the only state law enforcement agency with responsibility for safeguarding our fish and wildlife.

As with most morale problems in any organization, the causes are cumulative. Wardens are overworked and understaffed. They make half the pay of state troopers and take just as many personal risks, often with no backup.

The warden retirement package is substandard. Wardens, who are represented by a union, have no contract.

During the past few years, wardens have been the focus of politically charged disagreement over enforcement policy and protocol in the field.

Many of them feel that their leadership is not listening, and that appears to be the case.

Maine’s new Fish and Wildlife Commissioner, Dan Martin, in response to the warden survey, said “It doesn’t surprise me at all. Everybody knows that they have been whining for a very long time, since back when I was in the Legislature. It’s nothing new at all.”

As a gubernatorially appointed leader of Fish and Wildlife, Martin is in a tough spot. The survey indicates that he inherited a simmering, pre-existing problem that was worsened by his boss, Gov. Baldacci, when the governor axed the IF&W budget disproportionately to other state departments. If the Commissioner had conceded that the morale problem was significant, he, in effect, would be undercutting the man in the Blaine House.

However, Martin’s seemingly cavalier attitude on this issue doesn’t lend optimism. Is this going to be his leadership style for the next four years? In today’s workaday world, most competent, confident managers bring compassion and caring into the management equation. In his book “Managing From the Heart, ” respected leadership expert Hyler Bracey teaches that rule one in

fostering committment and harmony in an organization is to “Hear and Understand Me.”

Other state policymakers who have been around fish and wildlife issues longer than Commissioner Martin aren’t so quick as he to dismiss the survey findings as routine griping. Lance Wheaton, a veteran Downeast guide and co-chairman of the Fish and Wildlife Advisory Council said “The agency (Maine Warden Service) is going down hill and it will crash unless people pay for what they use.” Another veteran outdoorsman and advisory council member, Harold Brown, said, “It’s real anger. I’m hoping that one of the first things to happen is to have this really looked into.” Rep. Matt Dunlap, co-chairman of the Legislative Fish and Wildlife Committee, said, “…if we don’t get their workload under control, then I fear the boiling point could be reached.”

There is a morale problem within the ranks of the Maine Warden Service.

Many of the rank and file wardens have misgivings about their own leadership. When nearly half the members of any organization – especially game wardens who are trained to be tightlipped and stoic – are openly venting their anger, discomfort and confusion about their leadership, work climate and mission, there ought to be an urgency about finding solutions. State leadership ignores this cry at its peril.

It shouldn’t take a $100,000 management consultant study to ascertain that the road to healing for Maine’s proud law conservation agency begins with an improved retirement system, a clear mission, competitive wages and improved internal communication

V. Paul Reynolds is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He is also a Maine Guide, co-host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” heard Sundays at 7 p.m. on The Voice of Maine News-Talk Network (WVOM-FM 103.9, WCME-FM 96.7) and former information officer for the Maine Dept. of Fish and Wildlife.