Author: nhfishcop10

Here’s what we discuss:

Turkey hunting and a fiddlehead harvest
Joined Fish & Game shortly after Levi
Roommates in the game warden house
Eric Fluette and the anonymous ring sizing kit
Levi was set to receive his second congressional medal
Partnering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Fundraising and training for the Boston Marathon®
Running with Levi: “we’d get lapped multiple times.”
Funds raised will help provide resources to others who have lost a loved one
Ways to offer support:
- Support Rob’s run directly through Give and Gain
- The New Hampshire Conservation Officers Relief Association
Up to 200 first responders die by suicide each year in the US
Follow the impulse to reach out
It’s okay to use the word ‘suicide.’
The most important thing you can do is listen
Changing our language: “You don’t ‘commit cancer’ or ‘commit high blood pressure’.”
Boston Marathon® and others allow charities to apply for bibs as fundraisers
Team AFSP at the marathon
1 in 5 Americans has a connection to a mental health issue
Find information and support here: AFSP
Sgt. Matt Holmes reads Levi’s eulogy: A man of commitment, and a man in green.

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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145 In Memory of Officer Levi Frye

Posted on April 11, 2025April 11, 2025 by nhfishcop10

This episode is dedicated to the life and legacy of New Hampshire Conservation Officer Levi Frye. Today, we honor Levi’s commitment to protecting our natural world through a lighthearted but insightful interview he gave before his passing, where he shares his passion for his work, the outdoors, and his lifelong dedication to physical fitness. As we reflect on his life, we will also hear a heartfelt poem written and read by Lt. Mark Ober at Levi’s funeral service.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to the 988 Suicide Crisis Hotline.

Support the Frye family: https://nh-cora.org/donations/givewp-donation-fryefamily/

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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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144 Mindy Rugg – Maine Warden Service

Posted on March 27, 2025March 27, 2025 by nhfishcop10

In our final episode celebrating Women’s History Month 2025, we’re excited to welcome Maine game warden Mindy Rugg. Inspired by our very own podcast, Mindy transitioned from a successful career as a vet tech to become a game warden in 2021. Join us as she shares her journey, the challenges she faces, and the unique perspective women bring to the job.

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Here’s what we discuss:

Gained many skills in her previous career as a vet tech
Needed to be outside
Listened to the Warden’s Watch podcast
Not everyone loves the game warden
Hired in 2021, full-time in 2022
Checking hundreds of boats a day
On the job experience can be the best communication training
People react well if you treat them fairly
Strategies to manage dyslexia
Spell check, Grammarly, and text-to-speech
Working in Western Maine – close to home, but not too close
“Every single day I learn something new.”
Mindy’s favorite Warden’s Watch episode
Maine Warden Service now has seven female officers
Many companies don’t make clothing for women in law enforcement
Don’t talk yourself out of it – make it happen
It’s no longer a shock to meet a female game warden
Women can bring a different perspective to the job

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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143 Rachel Thurner-Diaz – PA Fish & Boat

Posted on March 22, 2025 by nhfishcop10

In this episode, we’re delighted to reconnect with Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Officer Rachel Thurner-Diaz, who joined us way back in Episode 81. A lot has changed in the three years since we visited last; her husband has joined the local police department, and she is now balancing the demanding roles of a dedicated officer and a busy mom. Join us as we continue to explore the unique experiences and perspectives of women in conservation law enforcement.

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Here’s what we discuss:

Officer Thurner-Diaz was a previous guest in Episode 81
Two law enforcement officers at home
PA is recruiting wardens
Protecting wildlife is a passion
More women are joining conservation law
The Fab Five
Game wardens need to be motivated and independent – male and female
Taught by Jeff Baile – another previous Warden’s Watch guest
Be compassionate but call out deception
A heated hunter and mistaken identity
PA has two wildlife agencies
The volunteer fish stocking program
Using the ‘mom voice’
Work-life balance can be challenging
Looking forward to summer
Trout stockers still don’t eat much trout

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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142 Wonder Wardens – With Melissa Gauthier & Therese Bogatko

Posted on March 11, 2025March 11, 2025 by nhfishcop10

Back in 2018, a small group of female officers from Alberta Fish and Wildlife saw the need to engage with each other more actively and support community causes at the same time. This dedicated team has since participated in charity fundraisers, launched an outdoor education camp for young women, and is now working to establish a scholarship to help even more women join conservation law enforcement. Let’s meet Alberta’s Wonder Wardens!

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Here’s what we discuss:

The beginnings of the Wonder Wardens
Camaraderie and promoting women in conservation law
Polar dipping in uniform for charity
Summer camp for future female game wardens
Wildlife identification, hunting & fishing checks, drills and a mock investigation
The break-in period
“We complement each other.”
Self-confidence matters
People often make assumptions
Plans to expand Wonder Wardens
Proceeds from merch sales will fund a scholarship
“We’re small but we’re mighty.”
The importance of agency support
NAWEOA offers an opportunity to connect and share
Uniforms and equipment are changing
Shooting competitions – an all-female team
Close encounters during grizzly relocations
Hunters are sometimes surprised to encounter a female warden team

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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141 CJ Alexander – The Podcasters

Posted on February 21, 2025February 21, 2025 by nhfishcop10

Wrapping up the CJ Alexander series, we sit down with Christian Babcock and Jake Gaylord, the dynamic duo behind the popular Hunters Advantage podcast. In early 2024, Alexander made a memorable appearance on their podcast, spinning his well-worn underdog tale of an unbelievably lucky trophy buck – a tale that took a dramatic turn when it was later revealed he had already confessed to poaching it.

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Here’s what we discuss:

Christian posts, then removes, a video questioning the Alexander buck
Hunters Advantage podcast invites Alexander to tell his story
All large deer taken can be controversial
Alexander tells the hosts a convincing enough tale
“I came out of it with kind of an uneasy feeling.”
Alexander had appeared on the podcast after confessing to game wardens
The court-ordered apology letter
Public opinion was split
Misdemeanor charges moved to felony levels
Podcast appearances could have been used in sentencing
Technology makes poaching hard to hide
Antlers are like fingerprints
Podcast generated both positive and negative feedback
“We’re just common men with a nice microphone.”

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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140 CJ Alexander – The Wardens

Posted on January 31, 2025February 19, 2025 by nhfishcop10

Picking up from our last episode, we sit down with two of the Ohio game wardens responsible for bringing this case before the court. Wildlife Officers Isaiah Gifford and Matt Roberts outline the meticulous effort and tiny details that led to the indictment and ultimate guilty plea of the now-infamous poacher, CJ Alexander.

See this episode on YouTube here: EP140 CJ Alexander Buck The Officer’s interview

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Here’s what we discuss:

Investigation began as a typical follow up when a trophy animal is taken
Alexander spins his tale
Wildlife officers visit the alleged kill site
The staged site seems unusual, but mostly believable
A video arrives showing the animal 10 miles away
Wardens take a closer look
A bait pile and other evidence is found
Trail camera photos show the deer in the area
A grid search locates more evidence
Tiny details in a photo confirm officers’ suspicions
“There’s a knife – and there’s another knife!”
Alexander admits lying about the site
Antlers had already been sold, and are confiscated
Foliage at the supposed kill site does not match photos
Search warrants solidify the evidence
The poacher continues to make false claims publicly
Charges include tampering with evidence and theft by deception
Investigators meticulously pore through the evidence
“At the end of the day, we knew what we had.”
An Ohio record for restitution

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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139 CJ Alexander – The Facts

Posted on January 30, 2025January 30, 2025 by nhfishcop10

For a time, Christopher “CJ” Alexander seemed to be everywhere; on the news in his native Ohio, in magazine articles, and featured on various hunting-related podcasts, telling the tale again and again of how he took a massive 18-point buck – a trophy in the running to be among the top three typical whitetails of all time. In the end, fame turned into felony charges, and the windfall he expected became instead a whopping $43,000 in fines. Hear the facts as read by an investigator involved in the case.

See this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/w_rulXxzkKE

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Here’s what we discuss:

Wayne reads a note from Alexander
Deer becomes an internet sensation
Everyone loved the underdog story
Ohio DNR follows up
Information casts doubt on Alexander’s story
A photo and legwork begin to unravel the lies
Animal was poached on private property
Cell phone records reveal a plan
They name the buck Megatron
“Buying a house type money.”
Alexander shoots the buck… poorly
The deer is found and removed under cover of darkness
An elaborate cover up is put into motion
High expectations for big profits
“Can cell phone location data be used as evidence against me?”
Alexander pleads guilty to 14 charges
Deer was targeted solely for money and fame

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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138 Wardens:Case Files on the Outdoor Channel

Posted on January 12, 2025January 12, 2025 by nhfishcop10

Get ready – a new series featuring real game warden stories is coming to the Outdoor Channel! Premiering in the US on Friday, February 14th at 9:30pm EST, Wardens: Case Files will feature game wardens recounting some of their most unforgettable cases, complete with gripping reenactments. I am honored to be the first guest. We sit down with host Randy Nelson and producer Kayla Schoen for a look at this exciting new show. You won’t want to miss it!

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Here’s what we discuss:

· A new game warden show on the Outdoor Channel

· Based on Randy Nelson’s book, The Wildest Hunt

· “Every warden probably has a book of stories.”

· Game wardens are great storytellers

· Tales from the serious to the silly

· Show format is “similar to a fireside chat.”

· A picnic gone wrong…

· Show will promote poaching awareness

· Many cases have been made by tips from the public

· “If you see something, say something.”

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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137 KP Boatright – Georgia DNR

Posted on January 1, 2025January 1, 2025 by nhfishcop10

Despite having been on the job since just 2020, Georgia Game Warden KP Boatright has received multiple accolades, including the Public Safety Act of Heroism award for rescuing a drowning hunter at great personal risk. We caught up with KP as he accepted the prestigious NAWEOA Torch Award, presented to new officers who demonstrate exceptional ability and initiative. Join us for a chat with another rising star from Georgia DNR!

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