180 Will Seegers – Vermont

Vermont Game Warden Will Seegers joins Wayne to discuss life as a conservation officer in the Green Mountain State. From water survival training and cold-water emergencies to boating safety, ice rescue, and working Vermont’s lakes and waterways, Will shares stories from the field and lessons learned throughout his career.

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Here’s what we discuss:

Will’s path to becoming a Vermont Game Warden
Seven years on the job and finding his stride
Training and mentoring the next generation of wardens
Becoming involved in instructor and field training roles
NASBLA officer water survival training
Why game wardens work in high-risk water environments
How duty gear affects swimming and survival
Experiencing full-uniform water immersion training
Learning to function in realistic emergency scenarios
Creating flotation devices from duty pants
Surprising lessons about ballistic vests in the water
“The biggest surprise for me was just how quickly you fatigue wearing duty gear in the water.”
Which pieces of equipment become the biggest burden
Firearm retention and survival considerations
When equipment can be replaced and when it can’t
Psychological challenges of abandoning gear
Cold water immersion and ice rescue realities
Why panic is often the greatest danger after falling through the ice
The importance of spreading body weight and self-rescue techniques
The story behind a game warden earning the nickname “Otter”
Life jackets and why experienced wardens wear them more often as their careers progress
Inflatable PFDs versus inherently buoyant life jackets
Potential failure points with inflatable life jackets
Why checking CO₂ cartridges matters
Officer safety considerations around waterways
Real-world case studies involving law enforcement encounters in the water
How quickly a routine contact can become a life-threatening situation
“All you need is to be near water and it could become a relevant variable in what unfolds.”
Running Vermont’s first officer water survival courses
Teaching wardens how to protect themselves during falls from boats and docks
Extrication techniques and getting back aboard safely
Why the training is practical rather than “high-speed” tactical instruction
The value of experiencing problems before they happen for real
Lake Champlain and the challenges of large-water operations
Open-water survival techniques
Conserving energy and body heat while awaiting rescue
Vermont’s world-class fishing opportunities
State-record fish from Lake Champlain
The legend of Champ, Lake Champlain’s famous lake monster
Expanding water survival training throughout Vermont and neighboring agencies