Category: 2024

Hunt Regs

Here’s what we discuss:

· NAWEOA Torch Award winner

· Using social media for investigations

· A suspicious alligator trapper leads to multiple charges

· “The Swiss Army knife of law enforcement.”

· Assisting fellow law enforcement officers

· An online aptitude test suggests a career path

· “Boneheaded” teenage behavior causes a slight delay

· A supportive chain of command

· The importance of different perspectives

· People generally want to talk if you make them comfortable

· An upcoming wedding!

· The ‘dead’ alligator that blinked

· “You never know what you’re gonna come across.”

· Lake Seminole: Georgia’s best kept secret

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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UPDATE: CJ Alexander – CONVICTED

Posted on December 12, 2024January 29, 2025 by nhfishcop10

In late 2023, an 18-point trophy whitetail buck was taken illegally in Ohio. After an intense, high-profile investigation, several men pleaded guilty and were sentenced. The ringleader of the group also pled guilty and was sentenced this week to 90 days in jail and ordered to pay a combined $43,000 in penalties.

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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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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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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.”

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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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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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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.

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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.

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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

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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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