Parents' Guide to

North Woods Law

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Law-enforcement reality with weapons, smoking.

TV Animal Planet Reality TV 2012
North Woods Law Poster Image

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age 6+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Kerwin Maude
Kerwin Maude Adult
August 24, 2022
age 8+
North Woods Law, like Texas Law and some others are a good shows to illustrate conservation, education, law enforcement, habitat protection, wildlife resources, fishing and natural wonders. These reality shows, sorry to say, are far better than others that elevate silly people to fame and riches. I come from a former law enforcement background, long ago, and we need to educate the public about our environment, conservation efforts and laws in a win-win situation including responsible hunting, fishing, species identification, and hiking that promotes one of greatest assets, the great outdoors. Thanks from Canada.
Stevelempke
Stevelempke Adult
July 28, 2021
age 4+

North

Cool program for kids

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

NORTH WOODS LAW is a reality series that follows game wardens and marine patrols in Maine as they deal with dangerous animals and wild people during hunting season. Cameras follow as they monitor hunting activity, chase illegal poachers, and investigate the reckless use of firearms. They also keep busy searching for lost moose hunters, rescuing drowning boaters, and chasing black bears out of residential areas. They put their lives on the line to preserve the Maine wilderness and to keep people safe in an area where guns and animals outnumber people.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (1 ):

North Woods Law offers an interesting and voyeuristic look at the kind of work performed by members of an elite law-enforcement group, who are on call for 81 hours at a time once they clock in. It also shows the efforts they make to protect the state's wildlife areas, 95 percent of which are privately owned, so that they'll remain open to the public for hunting and other recreational purposes.



The excitement expressed by some of the wardens when trying to catch folks in the act of breaking the law is a little over the top at times. But the show does offer some interesting information on some of Maine's laws and cultural practices. People who like this sort of thing probably will find the show entertaining enough to watch.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the way reality shows are used to showcase the cultural differences between different regions of the United States (or even across the world). What kinds of unique things set northern Maine apart from other regions in the union? Is there anything that sets where you live apart from other parts of the country?

  • Are these differences highlighted to educate people or simply to entertain them by making unique details seem weird? How can TV shows underscore these differences without furthering stereotypes?

TV Details

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