Todd Vandivert was a game warden for 34 years with the Washington Department of Natural Resources, and now writes books about his experiences. He worked both as a uniformed officer and an undercover officer, making multiple cases in each position. Todd’s work as an author is well-known, especially his book Operation Cody in which he breaks down his role in the operation. In this episode, Todd discusses his upbringing, work as a warden, and life as an author.
Our Sponsors:
Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH
International Wildlife Crime Stoppers
Here’s What We Discuss:
- 34 years as a game warden
- Born in California
- Love of the outdoors while raised in Virginia
- Plan was to go into the Navy; failed color vision test
- Flying career came to an end, went into oceanography
- Rethought decisions and went into forestry
- Started working in a habitat area
- Cameras everywhere
- First posing
- Work as an undercover
- The issues with informants
- The case: hound hunting with lions
- The “Kill ‘Em All Boys”
- Conference
- More exposure = more hazardous
- Each state has different laws
- Built a fake business: website, posters, business cards, etc
- Best of the wild
- Lawful stuff close to unlawful
- Poacher within two days
- Misrepresenting product is still illegal
- Taking DNA
- Rotted mountain lion and a paycheck
- Dried dates as a decoy to Hong Kong
- Growing operations and money laundering
- Interior decorator setup
- Entrapment debate