Glad that you were able to get the gun back. I had given my son a Remington model 7 when he was a kid and thought my grandkids could one day shoot it but it was stolen about 20 years ago. It was reported stolen with the serial numbers, your story gives me hope that he will get his gun back.
I am sorry that you are having to deal with all these people breaking the law. I am in Mississippi and I have to deal with people deer hunting with dogs and the dogs trespass onto my land and there is nothing that I can do about it. I guess everyone has problems.
I have been applying in Maine for over 20 years and the closest I have come to drawing I was chosen as the number 44 alternate. Always fun applying and hoping.