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.
Our Sponsors:
North American Game Warden Museum
New Hampshire Operation Game Thief
North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association
International Wildlife Crimestoppers
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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