Author: staceydesroches

Maine Operation Game Thief

Iron Skillet Seasonings

New Hampshire Operation Game Thief

Conservation Officers of Pennsylvania

North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association

North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association

Here’s what we discuss:

Starting the job at just 20 years old after switching from police academy to game warden training
“It’s two totally different jobs” – policing the woods vs the streets
Quebec wardens enforce fish, game, and trapping laws, not full police powers
Arresting suspects as a citizen in uniform before turning them over to police
First posting in Lac Saint-Jean – a remote territory with massive patrol areas
“People just don’t like bears” due to concerns about moose calves
His very first case – a bear decoy operation during closed season
Lying in a ditch as a hunter returns with his family
Waiting for a second shot to confirm intent
A plane flying overhead causes the hunter to panic
Moving the decoy’s head to trigger a reaction
“Dad, the bear is moving” leads to a second shot
Officers step in after clear evidence is established
“He truly thought it was a real bear.”
Covering areas with 10,000 plus lakes and hours-long patrol drives
Fishing opportunities – walleye, pike, and lake trout everywhere
Moose hunting rules – multiple hunters and shared tags required
“About a $2,500 fine” for illegal harvest
“The most dangerous animal is a moose with a calf.”
Transfer to a mining region brings more drug-related cases
“We are there for wildlife, but we deal with human problems too.”
Case involving a drug dealer with two baby crocodiles
Illegal possession of exotic animals without proper permits
Joint operation with provincial police
Planning entry into a single-access basement
Unexpected twist – the suspect’s father answers the door
Securing the scene and removing the animals safely
“Drugs and reptiles seem to go together.”
Roughly 300 officers covering all of Quebec
Balancing wildlife enforcement with real-world danger

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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W09 New England Naturals – With Jake DeBow

Posted on May 28, 2026May 28, 2026 by staceydesroches

Jake DeBow didn’t just grow up around trapping; he grew into it, built a life around it, and somehow turned frozen beaver ponds, late nights, and a sewing machine into a thriving business. In this episode, Wayne sits down in Jake’s trapping shed to talk about New England Naturals, the art of fur, and why more people are starting to care about where their food and even their clothing comes from. Spoiler: beaver might be the best red meat you’ve never tried.

Our Sponsors:

Maine Operation Game Thief

Iron Skillet Seasonings

New Hampshire Operation Game Thief

Conservation Officers of Pennsylvania

North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association

North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association

Here’s what we discuss:

Kicking off the return of Warden’s Watch Wild: “I’ve got some wild stuff going on.”
Meeting Jake DeBow, three years in the making to get him on the show
Growing up with a father who was a nuisance wildlife trapper
“It was always raccoons and skunks coming home in cage traps.”
Sports first, trapping later, rediscovering it in college and grad school
Getting into beaver trapping because “beaver meat is delicious.”
Starting a trapline together as a couple, relationship goals outdoors style
“She was never squeamish… just fascinated.”
Using everything from a beaver: meat, fur, skulls, and glands
The “rabbit holes” of natural products and curiosity
The quiet, frozen beauty of winter trapping
“There’s something really special about being out there.”
Why trapping is harder to get into than hunting
Appeal for young adults after college looking for purpose and connection
Accessibility of beaver vs deer, “there’s a beaver in just about every ditch.”
Feeding 50% of their red meat intake from beaver
“I’ve never had someone try it and not love it.”
Beaver as the “beef of the river,” rich, mild, versatile
Supplying beaver for a wild game dinner, big reactions from the crowd
Getting 9 to 12 meals plus weeks of dog food from one animal
The origins of New England Naturals and frustration with low fur prices
“We got $12 a beaver… it didn’t feel right.”
Early side hustle, Etsy shop, tinctures, moose antler dog chews
Pandemic pivot and turning $2,000 and fiddleheads into a sewing machine
Teaching themselves fur sewing from scratch
Starting with beaver fur koozies and laughing about early attempts
The TikTok turning point, one video and everything sold out
“We couldn’t keep up… we were sewing until 2AM!”
Hiring their first employee and outgrowing the basement
Moving into a real workspace and rapid growth over two years
Using social media for education, not just selling
Breaking misconceptions about trapping and outdated stereotypes
“Trappers were quiet for 30 years… that time is gone.”
The importance of public understanding and support
Why people are reconnecting with their food
“There’s something special about being responsible for what’s on your plate.”
That same mindset applied to clothing and materials
Fur as durable, warm, and biodegradable
Plastic clothing “is going to be your grandkids’ problem.”
Product focus on practical, hard-use gear
Core products: muffs, mittens, bomber hats, and hand warmers
“We want fur in people’s hands that actually gets used.”
Beaver fur hand warmers – simple, reusable, effective
Cat toys made from real fur: “cats go nuts for them.”
Future ideas: blankets, vests, and more product expansion
Balancing growth, time, and staying true to their mission
Shop New England Naturals
Follow the fun on TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram

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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136 Operation Night Cat with Ron Arsenault & Kevin Bronson – New Hampshire

Posted on November 15, 2024November 15, 2024 by staceydesroches

It started with a single game camera trained on an illegal bait site. Evidence recovered from that camera would ultimately lead to a lengthy multi-agency investigation, and the arrest of a ring of poachers who would trade hundreds of photos and videos of their multiple illegal harvests. In this episode, New Hampshire COs Ron Arsenault and Sgt. Kevin Bronson break down the story of “Operation Night Cat.”

Our Sponsors:

Sovereign Sportsman Solutions

Maine’s Operation Game Thief

Hunt of a Lifetime

Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH

Here’s what we discuss:

Upcoming YouTube channel featuring NH game wardens
Investigation began as an illegal deer baiting case
Cell phone pictures reveal a protected bobcat shot at night
US Fish & Wildlife is brought in
Multiple search warrants are executed
A mountain of digital evidence reveals several suspects
Poaching activities were incredibly well-documented
“It was like they had a camera crew.”
One suspect attempts to hide a cell phone… but is foiled by K9 Winni
Bobcat, deer, crows, fisher, coyotes, and foxes were all targeted
Speed and coordination are key when executing warrants
The importance of preservation letters to prevent destruction of evidence
Poaching also occurred in other states, more charges could be pending
Five people were arrested, charged with over 50 night hunting violations alone
Felony charges were also laid
County attorneys were integral to these cases
Local sportsmen were “appalled, and wanted to help.”
Poaching is still prevalent and ongoing
“One guy may start, but it takes a team to get a win.”

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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132 Drew Milne – British Columbia, Canada

Posted on August 12, 2024August 12, 2024 by staceydesroches

While deployed with the Canadian Armed Forces, Drew Milne picked up a book that inspired him to pursue his true calling and a new career as a conservation officer. Now, after almost two decades and multiple honors, he oversees the beautiful South Coast region of British Columbia, Canada, and teaches at the Western Conservation Law Enforcement Academy. We sit down with Drew at NAWEOA as he shares his passion for helping both recruits and field officers hone their skills through use of force training and de-escalation methods.

Our Sponsors:

Sovereign Sportsman Solutions

Maine’s Operation Game Thief

Hunt of a Lifetime

Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH

Here’s what we discuss:

Changing careers after six years with the CAF
Joined as a seasonal officer in 2008
Three years assisting another agency in establishing a new enforcement wing
Learned about a park warden’s job while in a tank in Bosnia
An encounter with a CO back in Canada
Horseback in the Rocky Mountains: hang onto your hat!
A life-changing confrontation
Learning to lower the temperature
Body language matters as much as dialog
British Columbia’s CO uniform
The path to becoming a BC Conservation Officer
Worked at the 2010 Winter Olympics
The Yukon: helicopters, float planes, snowmobiles and wildlife
A sheep poaching case solved by lichen in a photo
BC’s Use of Force lead trainer – sharing lessons learned
Remaining calm and respectful, even in tense moments
“Who cares what happened before? Now is now.”
Personal connections are critical

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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131 Live from NAWEOA – with Drew Milne (BC), Kris MacCabe (ME) & Chris Gilkey (OH)

Posted on July 25, 2024July 25, 2024 by staceydesroches

This episode finds us live at NAWEOA 2024 in in beautiful Penticton, BC with Maine’s Kris MacCabe, Chris Gilkey from Ohio, and Drew Milne of British Columbia, Canada. The guys sit down for a lively roundtable talk about their respective states and provinces, the beauty surrounding them, and of course, the incredible experience that is NAWEOA.

Our Sponsors:

Sovereign Sportsman Solutions

Maine’s Operation Game Thief

Hunt of a Lifetime

Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH

Here’s what we discuss:

Grizzlies, rams… and musk ox?
A forest fire to the southwest
Bears across the continent
British Columbia’s strict bear hunting laws
Much of BC is public land, filled with wildlife
Ohio has far fewer bears
Some people love BC bears, others very much do not
Connecting and learning at NAWEOA
Sharing commonalities and differences
NAWEOA 2025: Erie, Pennsylvania
The many microclimates of British Columbia
“The Napa Valley of Canada.”
Canadians really are that friendly
Tim Hortons, maple syrup, Cheezies, and poutine
“You guys don’t have Smarties?”
Chris’ poutine plan: The Gilkey
NAWEOA in one word
Camaraderie, connection, and family
Snakes!

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

Subscribe:

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