Sadly, the 15 minutes of fame are over for the moose, bears, game wardens and other mythical beasts who reside in Maine's wilderness -- "North Woods Law" has been canceled. There's been talk of a new version based in New Hampshire, but nothing official so far.

Actually, Maine got quite a bit more than 15 minutes -- "North Woods Law" aired for four years on Animal Planet, a respectable run for any show, but particularly one as niche as this. A low-budget show about a fairly small law enforcement division in a fairly small and remote state doesn't have the broad appeal that most networks shoot for.

The game wardens are the true mythical creatures profiled on the show -- Animal Planet frequently describes them as "elite," and the state's Inland Fisheries and Wildlife department touts the team's rigorous training and state-of-the-art technology as being "recognized all over the country." Animal Planet took great pains to showcase the "extreme danger and drama" of life as a game warden in Maine.

As for the New Hampshire version, there was a lot of talk about it back in the spring, when Engel Entertainment, the production company behind the original "North Woods Law," said it was working on a version in the state. "I can't say that it's definite because the broadcaster will make its own determination, but my feeling is that it will [happen]," company president Steven Engel told the Concord Monitor.

However, nothing has materialized since, which suggests the broadcaster made a different determination.

Fortunately, fans of "North Woods Law" have other options if they're pining (yes, that's a forestry joke) for their old favorite. Engel Entertainment has another show on Animal Planet about game wardens in Texas, titled "Lone Star Law." Animal Planet also has another series (apparently not affiliated with Engel) titled "Rugged Justice," about fish and wildlife officers in the state of Washington.

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