Three young hunters with critical illnesses were awarded free moose permits Monday afternoon at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife headquarters in Augusta.
Gov. Janet Mills presented the permits to Aiden Palmer, 10, of Readfield, Kellan Tilton, 12, of Detroit and Christopher Mitchell, 20, of Island Falls.
The kids were chosen through Moose Maine Kids, a nonprofit organization that takes kids with critical illnesses or disabilities on outdoor adventures, including free guided hunts for various game animals and birds. The kids did not know they were receiving permits until Monday.
“We are so thankful to be able to provide this opportunity to Aiden, Kellan and Christopher. Not only will they get this opportunity this year, but we are also thankful that this opportunity will continue into the future for us to be able to provide it each year [and give kids] this chance to get away from what their normal life is of doctors and hospitals,” Moose Maine Kids program director Ron Greco said.
The three permits came from LD 2052, sponsored by Rep. Scott Landry of Farmington, which expanded the number of moose permits given to nonprofit organizations around the country from two to five. The law, which Mills signed in the spring, stipulates that Maine kids receive the new permits through a state nonprofit.
Greco’s organization has been working with the kids’ parents for a couple of months now, he said.
“Have fun in the great Maine outdoors this year,” Mills told Aiden Palmer as she handed him his moose permit. MDIF&W Commissioner Judy Camuso gave the recipients bags of goodies from the department, which included orange hats.
Shortly after the permits were handed out, all three kids were sporting their orange hats.
The governor, who was enjoying interacting with the kids, told them she wanted to hear about the results of their hunts.
After Greco, Mills and Camuso finished their remarks, Aiden went to the podium and thanked the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital and Maine Medical Center for their care.
This will be his first hunt for anything, Aiden said, although he has been fishing for five years already.
Kellan Tilton has been hunting for turkey, deer and birds already in his 12 years, but this will be his first moose. He was very excited about his upcoming adventure. His father Dan Tilton was all grins too.
Christopher Mitchell was all smiles, excited that he would get a chance to go moose hunting too. It will be a first experience for him as well.
Moose Maine Kids also take youths under age 21 camping, fishing, canoeing and hiking.
“For them to experience something that they’ve only been able to dream about until now is a very special moment,” Greco said.
