ASHLAND — Despite a slower than usual 1999 fall hunting season, wardens working the northern fifth of the state were still kept busy.

Lt. Mike Marshall, who commands Division E, which includes all of Aroostook County, reported that warmer than usual weather and the lack of snow cover needed for tracking kept hunting activity down in most areas of the division.

Despite that, wardens responded to five lost-hunter incidents in which the individuals were actually lost in the woods. Wardens also responded to five incidents in which hunters were reported overdue.

Marshall said the overdue individuals were found either with a vehicle that had become stuck or had broken down, or were somewhere else and had failed to let family members know.

There were only two hunting accidents, and both of those occurred during bird season. In one case, a hunter shot himself in the foot. The second incident involved a hunter shooting another with birdshot. Charges were filed in the latter case, Marshall said.

One bird hunter was killed when the all-terrain vehicle she was riding tipped over onto her.

Fourteen night hunters were apprehended during the 1999 season. Night hunting carries a penalty of $1,000 and three days in jail. Seventeen people were charged with illegal possession of deer, bear or moose.

Summonses also were issued for other violations such as hunting from a paved way, illumination of wild animals, illegal baiting, over limit of grouse, and hunting without fluorescent-orange clothing.