Category: 2026

North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association

North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association

Here’s what we discuss:

Tayton stepping in as guest host and kicking things off with Chris
Chris’ early love for the outdoors and where it came from
Growing up around hunting, fishing, and camp culture with family
“I think it’s innate in every kid… it just needs to be fostered.”
Early influences from his dad and grandfather
Developing people skills at a young age by learning from others in the field
The importance of curiosity and asking questions
The best parts of the job, independence and building your own patrol days
“Patrolling woods and waters in an area that I love to be in”
Flexibility in choosing how to work, from boats to ATVs to foot patrol
Balancing independence with the structured nature of the role
Least favorite parts – including paperwork and detailed reporting
The reality that reports can become court evidence
The harder side of the job: fatalities, searches, and recoveries
“Those things don’t go away… they’re like a scar in your mind.”
How difficult calls can stay with you over time
Advice for young hunters and anglers entering the outdoors
Concerns about fewer kids spending time outside
“I just don’t understand how you could be bored outside.”
The mental health benefits of being outdoors
The joy and meaning the outdoors brought to Chris’ life
The balance of the job, rewarding one day and demanding the next
“Some days you shouldn’t be getting paid… other days you should be getting paid 10 times.”
Early interactions with wardens and how they shape perception of the role
Field techniques and tricks learned from other officers
A case involving illegal exotic animals inside a residence
Walking into what felt like a zoo inside someone’s home
A late-night Sasquatch call
“I had to respond to it without laughing.”
The risks of working in remote areas at night
A major poaching case involving a moose shot multiple times
The long investigation that went unsolved for years
A last-minute confession just before the statute of limitations expired
“I’m here to take responsibility for what I did.”
Accountability, personal change, and closure in that case
Chris’ approach to enforcement, firm but fair
The importance of maintaining relationships in small communities
How those relationships can impact safety and future cases
Conservation officers as a voice for wildlife
Encouragement for the next generation entering the field
Reflecting on a career built on passion, responsibility, and respect

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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173 Etienne Daigle – Quebec, Canada

Posted on June 13, 2026June 13, 2026 by staceydesroches

If you’ve ever wondered what game wardens deal with north of the border, this one delivers. From bear decoy busts to baby crocodiles in a bunker, “Agent de la faune” Etienne Daigle gives us a front row seat to wildlife enforcement in Quebec, Canada – and it’s anything but predictable.

Our Sponsors:

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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172 For the Fallen: First Sgt. Karl Kelley – Indiana DNR

Posted on May 13, 2026May 13, 2026 by nhfishcop10

In this National Police Week memorial episode, Wayne sits down with two men who lived through an unimaginable moment when a training exercise turned into a fight for survival. Retired Indiana DNR Lieutenant Colonel Terry Hyndman and First Sgt. Tom Jahn revisit the day they lost their friend and teammate, First Sgt. Karl Kelley, in a swift water incident that still shapes them decades later. It’s a difficult listen at times – but an important one – and a reminder of what service and brotherhood truly mean.

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

Our Sponsors:

North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association

North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association

Here’s what we discuss:

Why Warden’s Watch dedicates a yearly episode to the fallen during Police Week
Remembering Karl Kelley and the legacy he left behind
“How do you ever repay a debt so great?”
The early days of Indiana’s swift water rescue program
“We were wet behind the ears.”
Building a nationally respected training program from the ground up
What low-head dams are, and why they’re called “drowning machines.”
The deceptive danger: “It looks calm… but it’s a washing machine underneath.”
Training for worst-case scenarios in real-world environments
The setup at Williams Dam – a powerful and unpredictable system
The two-boat tether rescue technique explained
When everything goes wrong in seconds
Losing engine power and being pulled toward the dam
“We knew we were in trouble.”
First Sgt. Kelley moving in without hesitation to save his teammates
Multiple rescue attempts before the final, fatal approach
“Just 20 feet in front of us, I remember his boat going over.”
Two boats and four officers trapped in the boil
“We fought to survive for 20 minutes in that dam.”
The relentless force of the dam, flipping boats, tearing equipment apart
Fighting to stay alive in conditions you cannot control
Terry’s perspective from shore and the race to respond
The last-ditch move: turning a boat into a “sea anchor.”
The moment the current finally gives way and releases them
Despite the best gear and training, “those dams don’t care.”
Karl passes away days later
Survivor’s guilt: “He died for me… what do you do with that?”
“I didn’t want to survive after that. I didn’t think I could go on.”
Finding purpose and honoring sacrifice after tragedy
How shared trauma connects officers across time and distance
Supporting another officer years later who lived the same nightmare
“If you’ve walked in those shoes… you become their light.”
Who Karl was – mentor, leader, and quiet influence
“You don’t always have to swing for the fence” – leadership advice that stuck
A devoted family man who valued life beyond the job
The moment at the funeral – “Don’t quit.”
Choosing to carry on and honour the sacrifice
“We can’t repay it… but we can choose to live better. We choose to work better, do better.”

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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171 Kevin & Kathy Behr – Survivors With Purpose

Posted on May 7, 2026May 7, 2026 by nhfishcop10

On this episode of Warden’s Watch, we sit down again with Ohio’s Kevin Behr – this time joined by his wife, Kathy – to talk about survival, recovery, and the purpose they’ve found after Kevin was shot in the line of duty. Recorded at the International Game Warden Conference, this conversation goes beyond the incident itself and into what happens after – for officers, spouses, families, and anyone navigating a critical incident. A powerful update, an honest conversation, and a reminder that survival comes with responsibility – and that even in the worst moments, purpose can still be found.

Our Sponsors:

North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association

North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association

Here’s what we discuss:

Kathy’s spouse‑focused training on critical incidents – and why she created it
“You don’t realize what you don’t have in place until it’s happening”
Navigating power of attorney, medical decisions, and legal realities mid‑crisis
Being Kevin’s voice while he was unconscious – medically and legally
Why law enforcement statements on medication can be problematic in court
The emotional toll on spouses and kids when an officer is critically injured
Kevin seeing purpose in survival: “We did – they didn’t, so we have work to do.”
Turning trauma into something meaningful, even when healing isn’t linear
Stubbornness as a survival trait (and yes, it helped)
Brain injury recovery, negativity, and recognizing the long road back
Living with permanent change and reframing it positively
“Any fool can get through this – I’m living proof.”
The power of humor in trauma recovery
Doctors who refuse to give up: “Nobody quits on my team. Not even you.”
Finding a new purpose when the old one can’t exist anymore
How Kevin’s experience now helps train officers, trauma teams, and agencies
The ripple effect of sharing hard truths so others can prepare
Sidebar conversations that matter more than the main stage
Why laughing, crying, and telling the story all matter
“Everybody’s the main character in their own story.”
Surviving isn’t the end – it’s the beginning of responsibility
Kevin and Kathy as resources for those walking similar paths
Miracles along the way – and choosing to keep them moving forward

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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Field to Fork – Wild Game Cooking with Iron Skillet

Posted on April 24, 2026April 24, 2026 by nhfishcop10

In this episode of Warden’s Watch, we’re introducing a new sponsor to the show – Iron Skillet Seasonings – and sitting down with the people behind the product. Founder Dennis Dedek and new owner Cody Baciuska join us to talk about how Iron Skillet got its start, why their seasonings are developed specifically for wild game, and what makes them different from anything else on the shelf. From decades‑old family recipes to practical, real‑world cooking advice, this is a conversation about making wild game taste its best – without overcomplicating it.

Our Sponsors:

North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association

North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association

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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170 The Ray Anderson Case – Washington State

Posted on April 17, 2026April 23, 2026 by nhfishcop10

What began as a baffling discovery in a Washington State clearcut quickly turned into one of the most significant wildlife cases in the region – mainly because of the sentence that followed. Officers Lanny McOmber and Sergeant Brian Alexander walk us through a long, technical investigation involving multiple poached elk, complex necropsies, geofence warrants, cutting-edge tech and a suspect who just couldn’t stay away.

Our Sponsors:

North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association

North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association

Here’s what we discuss:

Why officers called it the Ray Anderson case
Four elk found dead in a clearcut
“There was no question – this was a poaching incident.”
Necropsies on multiple elk in field conditions
No bullets or brass recovered
A fifth elk tied to the incident
Early frustration with limited evidence
Asking the public for tips
Turning to geofence warrants
A complex, multi‑step warrant process
Waiting months for data returns
Separate trespassing issues on timber land
Cut gates and trail cameras
A familiar vehicle keeps reappearing
The suspect returning near the scene
Contact with a convicted felon
Firearms located in the vehicle
Quietly keeping cases separate
Geofence data starts lining up
An interview that slowly tightens
Initial denials turn into admissions
The claim of “guiding” elk by shooting at them
Washington’s spree‑killing statute explained
Elevating wildlife violations to felonies
How prior case law came full circle
The gut punch of sentencing day
A delayed – but meaningful – outcome
Mentorship and career‑defining cases
“You create your own luck in this 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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⁠Thin Green Line Podcast⁠

168 Talking Turkey – With Patrick Gibbs & Ben Martin

Posted on March 20, 2026March 20, 2026 by nhfishcop10

Spring might still be a snow-covered dream up north, but down in Georgia the dogwoods are thinking about blooming – and that means the turkeys are waking up. This week, Georgia Game Warden Patrick Gibbs and Ben Martin of ⁠HuntRegs⁠ join Wayne for a closer look into the southern turkey season, the surprising quirks of Georgia’s big‑game rules, and why the HuntRegs app is becoming one of the most powerful tools in the field. From license mistakes to a Thanksgiving turkey story involving a dog with questionable morals, this one’s packed with practical advice and classic game warden comedy.

Our Sponsors:

⁠Don Noyes Chevrolet⁠

⁠North American Game Warden Museum⁠

⁠HuntRegs⁠

⁠WiseEye⁠

⁠SecureIt Gun Storage⁠

⁠XS Sights⁠

⁠“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book⁠

⁠Maine Operation Game Thief⁠

⁠New Hampshire Operation Game Thief⁠

⁠North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association⁠

⁠International Wildlife Crimestoppers⁠

Here’s what we discuss:

· Spring turkey talk and the north–south difference in season timing

· Patrick’s 13 years as a Georgia game warden

· Working the Georgia coast: shrimping, crabbing, oysters, and commercial fisheries

· Moving inland and “traditional” game‑warden work

· HuntRegs’ goal of improving public understanding of what wardens actually do

· “There’s not enough game wardens” – why follow‑up matters

· What wardens look for on a turkey hunter check

· Licensing requirements for turkey

· Bag limit changes: two per season, one per day

· “Leave one to keep the population going”

· Printed harvest records vs app check‑ins

· You can game‑check without service and upload later

· Requirements: record before moving the bird, game‑check within 24 hours

· Turkeys as the most‑poached species and why tagging matters

· Patrick’s approach with inexperienced hunters and juveniles

· Why turkey hunters tend to be more seasoned

· Public‑land turkeys: “No inexperienced hunter is killing a Georgia public bird”

· Florida, early spring weather, and turkey chatter starting up

· “When the dogwoods bloom, the turkeys gobble”

· Common mistakes: assuming WMAs follow statewide turkey dates

· Miss the quota? “You’re definitely getting a ticket.”

· HuntRegs app: geolocation, pin drops, license requirements, special rules

· Archery‑only zones, no‑camping rules, and property‑specific notes

· Game wardens using the app themselves before checks

· Printed regs and rules: “They call it the digest… not very digestible!”

· Growth of HuntRegs and its state‑by‑state customization

· A turkey tossed out a car window, then snatched and hidden by a dog

· “Did you charge the dog – aiding and assisting?”

· No fall turkey season in Georgia; hens always protected

· HuntRegs‑generated cases: night hunting, baited duck ponds, hunting without permission

· Duck pond baited with molasses and corn, caught on Thanksgiving morning

· Why community tips matter

· Focus on catching blatant violations: night hunting, baiting, hunting under the influence

· Anonymous reporting, optional follow‑ups, and confidentiality

· Georgia’s monetary rewards for tips leading to convictions

· Improving the system based on warden feedback

· “Already a good day when you learn something new.”

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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Find More Here:

⁠Website⁠

⁠Warden’s Watch / TGL Store⁠

167 Amanda McKune – Illinois

Posted on March 6, 2026March 6, 2026 by nhfishcop10

It’s Women’s History Month, and there’s no better time to highlight CPO Amanda McKune – Illinois officer, new mom, and the 2025 NWTF Officer of the Year. Amanda shares the behind‑the‑scenes reality of the job: the long hours, the high‑stakes turkey and deer cases, the instincts that guide her, and the determination that has already defined her first six years in the field. Humble and relentless, she’s exactly the kind of story this month is made to celebrate.

Our Sponsors:

⁠Thin Green Line Podcast⁠

⁠Don Noyes Chevrolet⁠

⁠North American Game Warden Museum⁠

⁠Hunt Regs⁠

⁠WiseEye⁠

⁠SecureIt Gun Storage⁠

⁠XS Sights⁠

⁠“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book⁠

⁠Maine Operation Game Thief⁠

⁠New Hampshire Operation Game Thief⁠

⁠North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association⁠

⁠International Wildlife Crimestoppers⁠

Here’s what we discuss:

· Working turkey and deer hunters in southern Illinois – being “in the right place at the right time.”

· Stepping onto the NWTF stage and realizing the scale: “I had no idea going into that… wow.”

· The habitual turkey poacher and the tip that set everything in motion.

· Working 3 AM mornings through April until she finally caught him.

· Charging him with 8 birds she could prove, knowing the real count was far higher.

· Spending another April up before dawn to catch him again during suspension.

· The rush when officers from another district caught him a third time.

· Why turkey cases are so tough: long hours, staying still, waiting.

· “Sometimes it doesn’t add up… but 90% of the time it leads to something.”

· The strain of April on her young family – “They put up with me the whole month of April.”

· A wild deer case: a shot at dark, a suspect in Long Johns, and three huge bags of illegal deer corn.

· Interviews stretching for hours as he claimed he was “just looking.”

· Finding his gun buried in a creekbed, wrapped in his unworn camo: “We were all amped up… we got him.”

· Growing up fishing, discovering her interviewing superpower — “People just like to talk to me.”

· The importance of catching a single word out of place.

· Illinois’ massive deer – with 26‑pointers becoming normal in some counties.

· Ongoing cases involving 30+ illegally killed deer.

· Starting her career in the same county she grew up in.

· Knowing the land, families, and history.

· Tips and informants as the backbone of most big cases.

· Balancing motherhood, a state‑trooper husband, and long hours: “I’m taking advantage now and trying to catch these guys while I can.”

· The rise of night road hunting and non‑residents chasing big Midwest deer.

· October–December feeling like another April.

· A new era of poaching — thermal optics and crossbows with thermals.

· Working across the Missouri border and the challenges of multi‑state cases.

· District teamwork: “It takes all of us to make these big cases.”

· The impact of heavy illegal take on local populations — especially in concentrated areas.

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

Subscribe:

Find More Here:

⁠Website⁠

⁠Warden’s Watch / TGL Store⁠

165 Shawn Elmore – Georgia DNR

Posted on February 13, 2026February 13, 2026 by nhfishcop10

After more than 30 years with Georgia DNR, Sgt. Shawn Elmore joins Warden’s Watch for a long‑awaited conversation filled with humor, hard lessons, and unforgettable cases. From hunting alongside his dad as a child to becoming one of Georgia’s leading boating‑incident investigators, Shawn shares a mix of heartfelt family stories, outrageous poaching cases, and high‑stakes investigations that helped change state law. Join us for a candid, funny, and deeply human look at life behind the badge.

Our Sponsors:

North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association

Here’s what we discuss:

Finally recording after four years of trying
Shawn’s 30+ year career with Georgia DNR
Growing up hunting with his dad
“That’s what I’m gonna do for a living.”
His son becoming interested in law enforcement
Catching multiple in‑laws over the years
“It takes you a long time to build your credibility… and a snap of a finger to lose it.”
People claiming to “know” wardens to get out of trouble
Losing friends after catching them or their kids
Multi‑year landfill hunter case with warnings, tickets, then arrest
A later case involving another family connection
Hunting traditions, beagles, rabbits, and swamp rabbits
Southern sayings and the “Lost in Translation” team
The convicted felon firearm case: “Let me guess — the bullet fairy put this in your pocket.”
Reading body language as a critical warden skill
“Our mouths can get us into trouble, and they can keep us out of trouble.”
The 501‑charge poaching investigation
Conspiracy, false statements, and multi‑year suspensions
Charging only what can be won in court
Identifying violators based on decades of local knowledge
His role with Georgia’s boating reconstruction team
Early fatal boating cases and long‑lasting emotional impact
High‑profile boating incident involving police officers
The Jake and Griffin Prince case and Georgia’s BUI law change
Challenges unique to boating investigations: sinking, drifting, disappearing evidence
Teaching reconstruction and impaired‑operation detection nationwide
The Georgia Outdoor News “Hall of Shame” bait case

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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Find More Here:

164 James Mortimore – Nevada

Posted on January 31, 2026January 31, 2026 by nhfishcop10

In this episode, Wayne sits down with Nevada Game Warden James Mortimore from the floor of the Sheep Show® in Reno, NV — complete with bugling elk echoing in the background! From rescuing kayakers in monsoon swells on Lake Mead to blow-darting mountain lions and tracking illegal alligator sales on Facebook, James has lived the full spectrum of wildlife policing in one of the most diverse law enforcement landscapes in the country. His stories from Las Vegas to Reno show the grit, humor, and sheer unpredictability of being a modern Nevada warden.

Our Sponsors:

North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association