Warden&#039;s Watch

Maine Operation Game Thief

North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association

Here’s what we discuss:

Cajun cooking traditions, heavy seasoning, and why the roux matters.
“You season everything two or three times.”
Crawfish culture, regional boil methods, and the friendly “crawfish wars.”
How Louisiana farms, regulates, and harvests crawfish — and how dry weather affects production.
Wildlife across the state: deer, turkey, black bears, and tightly regulated alligator seasons.
Long deer seasons, electronic tagging, and how multiple hunting seasons overlap.
Busy waterways, boating safety, and enforcing alcohol laws on the water.
“A DWI on the water is the same as on the highway.”
The Tickfaw 200 poker run, big boats, long routes, and how safety has evolved.
Career paths, teamwork, and how Operation Game Thief works behind the scenes.
Memorable trespass, baiting, and night‑hunting cases, including turkey hunters caught sitting on cracked corn.
Decoy operations and the mix of funny, tense, and unpredictable encounters.
Working small communities where they often know the people they catch.
Strong landowner relationships and why most hunters follow the rules.
Cajun identity, accents, and local names like sac‑a‑lait and pull‑dues.
What keeps them in the job — the adventure, the outdoors, and the humor.
“I’m surprised they pay us for a lot of the stuff we do.”

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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165 Shawn Elmore – Georgia DNR

Posted on February 13, 2026February 13, 2026 by nhfishcop10

After more than 30 years with Georgia DNR, Sgt. Shawn Elmore joins Warden’s Watch for a long‑awaited conversation filled with humor, hard lessons, and unforgettable cases. From hunting alongside his dad as a child to becoming one of Georgia’s leading boating‑incident investigators, Shawn shares a mix of heartfelt family stories, outrageous poaching cases, and high‑stakes investigations that helped change state law. Join us for a candid, funny, and deeply human look at life behind the badge.

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Maine Operation Game Thief

North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association

Here’s what we discuss:

Finally recording after four years of trying
Shawn’s 30+ year career with Georgia DNR
Growing up hunting with his dad
“That’s what I’m gonna do for a living.”
His son becoming interested in law enforcement
Catching multiple in‑laws over the years
“It takes you a long time to build your credibility… and a snap of a finger to lose it.”
People claiming to “know” wardens to get out of trouble
Losing friends after catching them or their kids
Multi‑year landfill hunter case with warnings, tickets, then arrest
A later case involving another family connection
Hunting traditions, beagles, rabbits, and swamp rabbits
Southern sayings and the “Lost in Translation” team
The convicted felon firearm case: “Let me guess — the bullet fairy put this in your pocket.”
Reading body language as a critical warden skill
“Our mouths can get us into trouble, and they can keep us out of trouble.”
The 501‑charge poaching investigation
Conspiracy, false statements, and multi‑year suspensions
Charging only what can be won in court
Identifying violators based on decades of local knowledge
His role with Georgia’s boating reconstruction team
Early fatal boating cases and long‑lasting emotional impact
High‑profile boating incident involving police officers
The Jake and Griffin Prince case and Georgia’s BUI law change
Challenges unique to boating investigations: sinking, drifting, disappearing evidence
Teaching reconstruction and impaired‑operation detection nationwide
The Georgia Outdoor News “Hall of Shame” bait case

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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164 James Mortimore – Nevada

Posted on January 31, 2026January 31, 2026 by nhfishcop10

In this episode, Wayne sits down with Nevada Game Warden James Mortimore from the floor of the Sheep Show® in Reno, NV — complete with bugling elk echoing in the background! From rescuing kayakers in monsoon swells on Lake Mead to blow-darting mountain lions and tracking illegal alligator sales on Facebook, James has lived the full spectrum of wildlife policing in one of the most diverse law enforcement landscapes in the country. His stories from Las Vegas to Reno show the grit, humor, and sheer unpredictability of being a modern Nevada warden.

Our Sponsors:

Maine Operation Game Thief

North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association

Here’s what we discuss:

The “Las Vegas warden”
Crowded urban ponds and busy boat patrols made every day unpredictable
Watching for the folks who pack up quickly when a warden shows up
A wild monsoon rescue in six‑foot swells
For Colorado River wardens, rescue calls are everyday business
Low water levels reveal old mob‑era secrets – and the jokes that came with it
“I think that’s why we got our water back.”
An illegal alligator seller learns the meaning of “take a bite out of crime.”
Blow-darting mountain lions in neighborhoods and on golf courses
Dealing with a sedated mountain lion while a homeowner complains through their doorbell cam
Moving from Vegas to Reno and learning the world of bears and mountain lions
The importance of biologists and cross-team collaboration
Nevada’s pay and retention challenges
Covering massive patrol areas – sometimes thousands of square miles during vacancies
Poaching investigations built using GPS dog collar data
Odd urban cases: “dinosaur bones,” sea turtles, and surprisingly realistic bald eagle replicas
Working with the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, and other federal partners
Learn more about Nevada wardens in the new Animal Planet series, Nevada Wild!

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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163 Larry Hergenroeder – Pennsylvania

Posted on January 17, 2026January 17, 2026 by nhfishcop10

From growing up with a game warden father to leading investigations, Staff Sergeant and canine handler Larry Hergenroeder has seen it all—and loved every minute of it. In this episode, Larry shares why he believes being a game warden is “the coolest job on earth,” how his canine partners have cracked cases in record time, and why networking through NAWEOA matters more than ever.

Our Sponsors:

North East Conservation Law Enforcement Association

Here’s what we discuss:

Growing up in western Pennsylvania and finding his calling
“I had game warden blood in my blood.”
From Montana guide school to the academy
“My only regret is losing those years I could have been doing this full-time.”
Why being a game warden is more than a job
“I live, eat, sleep, breathe this profession… I just want to be a game warden.”
The power of NAWEOA networking and lifelong friendships
“I haven’t had a month go by without a call from another state or province.”
K9 program success stories: Storm and Rio crack tough cases
“In 33 seconds, Storm found the evidence that solved a fatal shooting.”
Challenge coins and the stories behind them
Inspiring the next generation of wardens through conferences and mentorship
Hunting-related shooting incidents and the emotional side of the job
“One is one too many.”
Family, sacrifice, and the brotherhood of game wardens
“A profession sought by many, held by few, and only made possible by those family members that know the true meaning of sacrifice.”

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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162 Polar Bears & Patrols – With Jack Skillings

Posted on December 24, 2025December 24, 2025 by nhfishcop10

From patrolling on sea ice and responding to polar bear calls to managing wildlife in remote communities, Conservation Officer Jack Skillings takes us deep into the Canadian Arctic. Offering a rare glimpse into wildlife enforcement in the far north, Jack shares the rewards and realities of protecting the environment in some of the most isolated places on Earth.

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Here’s what we discuss:

Yukon’s Conservation Officer Services Branch and its role
Nunavut: Canada’s newest territory
Nunavut’s unique conservation structure
“There’s at least one conservation officer in every community.”
Patrolling without roads: snowmobiles, ATVs, boats, and planes
Polar bear management and why it’s handled by territories, not federal agencies
Community policing: “education over enforcement.”
Modern polar bear research using DNA instead of tags
Differences between Nunavut and Yukon: isolation vs. road access and teamwork
“The biggest difference in Yukon? Roads. Having a truck changes everything.”
Wildlife species and hunting traditions: caribou, muskox, seals, moose, sheep, and Arctic char
A polar bear deterrence gone wrong
Life in remote communities
“My favorite thing was just getting out on the land – patrolling, hunting, fishing.”

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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161 Alone in the Wild – with Isaiah Tuck

Posted on December 11, 2025December 11, 2025 by nhfishcop10

What happens when a game warden takes on one of the toughest survival challenges on TV? West Virginia’s Isaiah Tuck joins Wayne to share his incredible journey from enforcing wildlife laws to braving complete isolation on the hit series Alone. Discover the mental grit, survival skills, and life lessons that come from living off the land – and why solitude can be the ultimate teacher.

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Here’s what we discuss:

Isaiah’s path to becoming a West Virginia game warden
“Every day as a game warden is about adapting to the unexpected.”
How wildlife law enforcement prepared him for survival challenges
Behind the scenes of Alone
Preparation, mindset, and reality
“The woods teach you patience – and patience is survival.”
The hardest part of isolation: mental battles and self-reflection
“Being alone strips you down to who you really are.”
Hunger, weather, and wildlife encounters
The gear he trusted most—and one item he wishes he’d brought
Lessons learned from solitude and self-reliance
Advice for anyone dreaming of testing their survival skills
“Survival isn’t about strength—it’s about adaptability.”

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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160 Warden-Hunter Interactions

Posted on November 30, 2025November 30, 2025 by nhfishcop10

In this episode of Warden’s Watch, Wayne sits down with Ben Martin, founder of the Hunt Regs app, and Hayden Cook, a Tennessee Wildlife Officer, for a deep dive into warden-hunter interactions, safety in the field, and the story behind one of Tennessee’s most infamous poaching cases – the Maserati Buck. From practical advice for hunters to insights on wildlife law enforcement, this conversation is packed with real-world lessons and strategies to stay compliant in the field.

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Here’s what we discuss:

Ben’s journey as a first-generation hunter and why he created Hunt Regs
“How do I make a game warden comfortable?” – the question every hunter should ask
Hayden Cook on professionalism: “We serve the hunters and fishermen of Tennessee.”
Hunter safety tips during license checks and why nervousness can lead to mistakes
Hunt Regs app: anonymous poaching reports and real-time regulations
The Maserati Buck case: a 229-inch deer poached under a streetlight near a luxury car dealership
“Antlers make people do crazy things.” – Hayden on poaching motives
Honest mistakes vs. intentional violations: why self-reporting matters
Digital licensing pitfalls and why preparation is key
Building trust and positive relationships between hunters and wardens

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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159 Justice for Dave: A Poacher’s Reckoning

Posted on November 11, 2025November 11, 2025 by nhfishcop10

In this powerful episode of Warden’s Watch, Pennsylvania Game Wardens Phil Bietsch & TJ Knash share the story of a career-defining poaching case tied to the tragic death of fellow officer David Grove on Veteran’s Day 2010. From building trust to securing confessions, this case is a masterclass in investigative work and emotional resilience. Listen now to hear how justice was served, and a legacy honored.

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Here’s what we discuss:

Phil and TJ were classmates at the Ross Leffler School of Conservation
Working as neighboring officers for four years, they’ve developed a strong investigative partnership
Emphasis on teamwork, rhythm in interviews, and rapport-building
Ryan Laumann is a known habitual game law offender
The case ties back to the tragic death of Game Warden Dave Grove in 2010, who was murdered by Chris Johnson during a poaching incident
Laumann was a passenger in the vehicle
Laumann “just went home.”
Johnson is now on death row
Equipment and training were improved
Laumann received a five-year license revocation
A tip from a former violator turned informant via Operation Game Thief
“I got away with it once, I can do it again.”
TJ took the lead
Keeping emotions in check
“Take your time.”
Officers conducted surveillance near Laumann’s residence
Multiple deer carcasses, gut piles, and antlers
Officers used rapport and strategic interviewing to gain Laumann’s trust
Jeff Baile’s interview and interrogation techniques were critical
Allowing the suspect to tell their version of the story
Laumann eventually confesses to killing multiple deer
From a good case to a great case
“Rapport is the foundation of everything.”
Laumann was charged with:
- 3 counts of illegal deer3 tagging violations
- 3 counts of scattering high-risk parts
- 1 over-the-bag-limit charge
Final penalties: 5-year hunting license revocation and $2,800 in fines

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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