174 Chris Egan – With Tayton Keezer

This episode brings us a fresh perspective as Conservation Law student Tayton Keezer steps behind the mic to interview retired New Hampshire CO Chris Egan. What starts as a simple student-to-officer conversation turns into a mix of mentorship, hard truths, and wild field stories, as Tayton connects what he’s learning in school to what the job really looks like in the field.

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Here’s what we discuss:

Tayton stepping in as guest host and kicking things off with Chris
Chris’ early love for the outdoors and where it came from
Growing up around hunting, fishing, and camp culture with family
“I think it’s innate in every kid… it just needs to be fostered.”
Early influences from his dad and grandfather
Developing people skills at a young age by learning from others in the field
The importance of curiosity and asking questions
The best parts of the job, independence and building your own patrol days
“Patrolling woods and waters in an area that I love to be in”
Flexibility in choosing how to work, from boats to ATVs to foot patrol
Balancing independence with the structured nature of the role
Least favorite parts – including paperwork and detailed reporting
The reality that reports can become court evidence
The harder side of the job: fatalities, searches, and recoveries
“Those things don’t go away… they’re like a scar in your mind.”
How difficult calls can stay with you over time
Advice for young hunters and anglers entering the outdoors
Concerns about fewer kids spending time outside
“I just don’t understand how you could be bored outside.”
The mental health benefits of being outdoors
The joy and meaning the outdoors brought to Chris’ life
The balance of the job, rewarding one day and demanding the next
“Some days you shouldn’t be getting paid… other days you should be getting paid 10 times.”
Early interactions with wardens and how they shape perception of the role
Field techniques and tricks learned from other officers
A case involving illegal exotic animals inside a residence
Walking into what felt like a zoo inside someone’s home
A late-night Sasquatch call
“I had to respond to it without laughing.”
The risks of working in remote areas at night
A major poaching case involving a moose shot multiple times
The long investigation that went unsolved for years
A last-minute confession just before the statute of limitations expired
“I’m here to take responsibility for what I did.”
Accountability, personal change, and closure in that case
Chris’ approach to enforcement, firm but fair
The importance of maintaining relationships in small communities
How those relationships can impact safety and future cases
Conservation officers as a voice for wildlife
Encouragement for the next generation entering the field
Reflecting on a career built on passion, responsibility, and respect