Author: nhfishcop10

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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Hunt Regs App: Stay Legal. Strike Smart – With Ben Martin

Posted on December 5, 2024December 5, 2024 by nhfishcop10

Hunt Regs is a powerful mobile app that allows sportsmen to quickly determine hunting regulations for their specific location and target species – no more wading through guidebooks or complicated websites. This free-to-try app also allows hunters to journal target sightings while automatically recording detailed conditions, enabling users to easily track movement patterns and create a comprehensive “Smart Strike” plan – all designed to produce a successful and legal hunt. Co-creator Ben Martin joins us for a deep dive into this one-of-a-kind tool, available now on the App Store.

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Hunt Regs

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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135 Whooping Crane Shootings with Emily Long – Oklahoma

Posted on October 24, 2024 by nhfishcop10

In late 2021, members of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation responded to a report that would lead to a nearly two-year, multi-departmental investigation into the shooting deaths of four whooping cranes, one of the rarest and most endangered birds in North America. In this episode, Wildlife Investigations Specialist Emily Long, whose dedication and meticulous work on this case earned her the title of 2024 IWC Game Warden of the Year, details the story.

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Here’s what we discuss:

Sole full-time investigator in Oklahoma
New positions created to investigate both state and federal wildlife crimes
Jointly funded by both state and federal departments
Fewer than 600 whooping cranes left worldwide
OK closes hunting when advised by USGS that cranes are migrating
Local wardens respond to a call about an injured whooping crane
The wounded bird is rescued, but does not survive
Days later, a stationary tracking device is detected nearby
Game wardens discover the crime scene
Investigation reveals three more deceased cranes
Painstakingly searching thousands of cell tower records
Suspects are slowly eliminated
Geolocation data finally offers a break
The first confession exposes four suspects
Potentially accidental shootings lead to intentional coverup
Charges are brought under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
All four men plead guilty
A collective total of $71,000 in fines
Multiple agencies at all levels collaborated to bring the case to a successful conclusion

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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134 Tyler & Chris Johnson – Alaska Bear Attack

Posted on September 18, 2024September 18, 2024 by nhfishcop10

While hunting in Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula in August, Tyler Johnson and his father were suddenly charged by a large brown bear. Despite being seriously injured and accidently shot through the leg, the seasoned outdoorsman calmly filmed a video documenting the attack while waiting for rescue. Tyler and his dad join us to share their harrowing story.

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Here’s what we discuss:

Tyler’s dad Chris is a previous Warden’s Watch guest
A father and son trip ahead of a planned move to Texas
Working through dense brush, the pair emerge into tall grass
Chris hears a guttural growl
At the last moment, the bear pivots toward Tyler
Tyler races to unholster his sidearm
In seconds, the bear is on him
At some point, he accidentally shoots his left leg
“Oh… it has a collar.”
Both men fire at the animal
Immediate triage
Tyler’s boot is filling with blood
Chris applies a tourniquet to stop the bleeding
Tyler calmly documents the aftermath
Fifteen seconds
Preparing the helicopter landing zone
Rescue is almost two hours away
Airlifted to Anchorage
“Wow, this is beautiful. My leg hurts.”
A gunshot wound on one leg, a large gash on the other
Chris’ training had kicked in immediately
Tyler had saved his father in a previous medical emergency
“Now we’re even.”
Remained in Alaska for treatment
Takeaways: Always bring a trauma kit
Twenty-four rounds were fired
A small cub is found at the scene the next day
The Garmin InReach was integral to rescue
“Gunshot victim, bear mauling… and then the hospital staff just got me.”

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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133 Tony Latham – Fire, Fish & Game and Fiction

Posted on August 27, 2024August 27, 2024 by nhfishcop10

Tony Latham is an author known for his engaging stories that draw from his extensive experience as an Idaho game warden and years spent fighting wildfires in Alaska. His career has been as adventurous as the characters in his books – including a lengthy undercover operation documented in his 2012 debut novel, Trafficking: A Memoir of an Undercover Game Warden. Now, several books later, he sits down to discuss his rich background, current projects, and more.

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Here’s what we discuss:

Grew up dreaming of becoming a game warden, just like his great uncle
From fighting wildfires in Alaska to 22 years as an Idaho game warden
Helped a local warden with a poaching case in high school
“I was in awe of that truck.”
Early warden experiences laid the foundation for undercover work
A deadly poisoning case
A lawyer’s gamble that paid off – for law enforcement
Began writing after retirement
First book was a short guide to examining and matching firearms evidence
Fight or flight mode in undercover officers
The challenge of writing fiction after years of factual case reports
Game wardens never quite retire
Writing can bring unexpected rewards
A sneak peek at the latest work in progress: The Charley Cove series
Wildlife crime is often tied to more serious crimes
If you see something, say something – always
Returning home to 26 “hot tips”
Sharing skills learned
Chasing wildfire in Alaska
“I wanted to be a game warden.”
Getting into undercover work
Uniformed one week, undercover the next
The prolific poacher who would not say ‘elk’
Most cases can be handled by uniformed officers
Visit Tony online

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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130 Lukas Madsen – Alberta, Canada

Posted on July 13, 2024July 13, 2024 by nhfishcop10

Ahead of NAWEOA 2024 in British Columbia, Canada, Wayne discusses warden life across the border with special guest Sgt. Lukas Madsen, a Fish & Wildlife officer in the neighboring province of Alberta. Sgt. Madsen discusses his path from growing up in the rugged beauty of the Northwest Territories to becoming a game warden, Alberta’s many outdoor opportunities, and shares a few adventures he’s had along the way.

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Here’s what we discuss:

What Canadian accent?
Originally set out to become a biologist
Growing up in Yellowknife; one road north, one road south
Great Slave Lake is one of the deepest in Canada
Outdoor experience creates an advantage
Education never stops
Had to build experience to be hired full-time
Working as a park ranger – aka the Party Police
Adventures in bear trapping
Sometimes euthanasia is the only option
The Western Conservation Law Academy
“The best job in the world.”
Alberta has an abundance of wildlife
A couple of unethical outfitters
Wildlife crimes in another country can result in big problems
NAWEOA: “We all have the same stories.”
Always move forward, always try to do better

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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129 Jason Blaylock – Mississippi – Officer-Involved Shooting

Posted on June 30, 2024June 30, 2024 by nhfishcop10

When an officer-involved shooting occurs, we often hear a lot about the victim, but what happens to the person who pulled the trigger?

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Here’s what we discuss:

Officer-involved shooting: no one knew how to handle it
Systemic problems
You’re never the same person
One trauma can be a huge setback
Fit for duty
Stigma created by the word “homicide” in media
Called to investigate a suspected night hunter
Suspect fired at a citizen
The chase
Suspect stops, then rams Blaylock’s truck and flees
Vehicle does not stop at a roadblock
Suspect again rams officers’ trucks
“I’m not making it home tonight.”
Less a decision than a reaction
Driver was a 15-year-old male
Praying for the driver
A helpless, solitary feeling
Driver recovered, and was later convicted only of night hunting
Officer Blaylock is immediately cleared of wrongdoing
Months of interviews and uncertainty
A single counselling session
“You have to talk about it. You cannot hold it in.”
Nearly eleven months off work
Stress and its impacts on the body
The entire family is affected
Friends – and even fellow officers – don’t know what to say
Law enforcement, PTSD and alcoholism
It’s okay to not be tough
Subjects went on to commit more felonies
“We don’t know how to handle needing a helping hand.”
The importance of being proactive
Learning what to expect, how to heal, and how to help

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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128 Father & Sons – with Bill, Wayne, and Aaron Saunders

Posted on June 25, 2024June 25, 2024 by nhfishcop10

Bill Saunders’ legacy is a testament to the enduring bond between family and nature. His love for the wilderness, deeply instilled in his sons, has blossomed into a tradition that transcends generations. This Father’s Day, we explore their story; it’s a legacy of living off the land, teaching the next generation to hunt ethically, and nurturing a passion that would one day set a young man on a familiar career path. A family’s tradition, flourishing under the canopy of the great outdoors.

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Here’s what we discuss:

Dad grew up fishing and hunting
Snakes!
The story of the cowboy in the woods
Growing up on roadkill
“I’d arrest Mom if I had to.”
Adventures with Uncle Warren
Learning never to waste a resource
The deer that kept standing up
Aaron’s first deer
Bonding with your kids in the outdoors
Hunting hazards: hand injuries and dented tailgates
The duck that crash landed
Walking through the woods with your kids; it’s about the experience
Wildlife populations have changed over the years
“If you’re gonna shoot it, you’re gonna eat it.”
Porcupines and perch eggs
Being related to a game warden can sometimes change your point of view
The outdoor legacy continues in Wayne and Aaron’s children

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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127 Jason Blaylock – Mississippi

Posted on May 24, 2024May 24, 2024 by nhfishcop10

With record-high wildlife populations, Mississippi’s generous bag limits make it an attractive destination for hunters of all kinds, and game wardens are busy almost year-round. After 23 years with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP), Lt. Jason Blaylock has made substantial contributions to wildlife conservation and law enforcement in the Magnolia State, and was recently named the National Wild Turkey Federation Conservation Officer of the Year by the MDWFP. Lt. Blaylock joined us at NAWEOA.

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Here’s what we discuss:

Mississippi wardens are busy with game issues for much of the year
Working the famous river
Close to 200 officers in MS
Passing knowledge to the next generation of officers
Teaching methods have changed with technology advancements
Started school in a pre-med program
“I can’t see myself not being outside.”
A coincidence that led to a career
Many rural game wardens are ‘the’ local law enforcement
Opening day is like Christmas
Snakes!
MS game wardens used to sell licenses from their trucks and homes
Bag limits in Mississippi
No deer tags required
250+ spotlighting cases
13-year-old night hunters
Thanksgiving 2017: an unforgettable night hunting case
The repeat, repeat, repeat young offender
Suppressors are becoming more common in MS
Technology advancements are changing the way game wardens do business
The diversity of Mississippi provides a multitude of opportunities

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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126 For the Fallen: Julian Keen – Florida FWC

Posted on May 18, 2024May 12, 2026 by nhfishcop10

Florida FWC Officer Julian “Batman” Keen was known for his bright smile, relentless enthusiasm, and deep commitment to the people and wildlife of his home state. On a quiet Sunday morning in 2020, he heard a crash outside his home and looked out to see a truck driving recklessly. He gave chase without hesitation, eventually intercepting the hit and run suspect – who escaped – but inexplicably returned to the scene, opened fire and sped away. Officer Keen was 30 years old. His friend and mentor, FWC Lt. Pam Steelman shares the legacy of a remarkable young man, determined to fulfil a lifelong dream, and give back to the community he loved – and who loved him so dearly in return.

“It is not how these officers died that made them heroes; it is how they lived.” ~ National Law Enforcement Memorial, Washington, DC

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