Tag: Game Warden

Here’s what we discuss:

Wild ginseng root is highly valued for its perceived medicinal properties
Grows very slowly, taking up to five years to reach maturity
One pound can be worth up to $1000
Seeds take over a year to germinate
Information campaign helped educate stakeholders on the damage caused by poaching
Many poachers are involved in other illegal activities
Legal ginseng plants must have three leaf sets, or ‘prongs’
Case also had multiple prongs
Prong 1: Undercover officers sold ginseng to licensed dealers
Compared the amount sold to the amount reported
Officers then sold ginseng outside the buying season to confirm illegal intent
Prong 2: Coordinated with US Fish & Wildlife Service to create a fake business
Business would receive inquiries from those looking to buy and sell illegal product
Prong 3: Obtain offenders’ assistance in exchange for a reduced penalty
Task force worked in multiple states
One offender had been featured on a popular reality show
The television show actually helped educate the public about ginseng poaching
Many countries overseas have decimated indigenous flora and fauna, creating a black market
110 defendants received multiple charges
Nearly six years of jail time served, $77,000 in fines
Kirk’s background; jack of all trades
Trapping academy
State officers were made aware of the ginseng operation
“Giving a little bit, we received a lot.”
Not all states have Wildlife Investigators
State of Ohio has done some major operations
Ginseng awareness for stakeholders training began in 2015
Operation takedown day finally arrived in 2022

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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112 Chris Gilkey – Ohio Division of Wildlife

Posted on August 31, 2023September 7, 2023 by nhfishcop10

From a cozy front porch in Utah, Wayne talks with Ohio Wildlife Officer and K9 handler Chris Gilkey. Born, raised – and now based – in the Ohio foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Officer Gilkey shares the remarkable story of Big Boy, the largest typical white-tailed buck taken in North America in 2009 – and for one poacher, more ‘bucks’ than he counted on.

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Here’s what we discuss:

Missed connections and an epic fishing trip
Fifteen minutes from West Virginia
Ohio is a destination for white-tailed deer hunters – but also for poachers
Ethical hunters spotted a huge buck in the summer of 2009 and planned to hunt it in the fall
Wanted Officer Gilkey to be involved
“Big Boy” disappeared from trail cams shortly before the season
Months later, Big Boy is on display at an expo
Poacher claimed the trophy buck was taken in Kentucky
Stuck to his story but eventually confessed, hoping to avoid prison
Thirteen prior hunting convictions
Poacher forfeited his bow, received fines, a lifetime hunting ban and…
A $23,572.05 fine under Ohio’s Trophy Restitution Law
Received Ohio Bow Hunter Officer of the Year award for this case
Hunters who provided the information deserved an award
Report wildlife crime in all 50 states and Canada through wildlifecrimestoppers.org

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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111 Ethan Justinger – Utah

Posted on August 19, 2023August 19, 2023 by nhfishcop10

Originally from Western New York, Ethan Justinger packed up and moved to Utah at just 22 to pursue his dream of being a game warden in the West. Now on the job with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources for 5 years, Ethan sits down with Wayne to share his passion for elk hunting, conservation law, and the spectacular beauty surrounding them.

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Here’s what we discuss:

The elk hunt that changed everything
Elevation sickness and bull elk bugling
Hunters are conservationists
A fitness test at altitude – during a forest fire
“One of the greatest jobs on earth.”
Driving from New York to Utah
Adventuring every day
A late-night tip after a long day
Elk poacher was on private property
Carcass covered in sticks and logs
Evidence on a GoPro™
More evidence on a cell phone
A false blood trail
Case resulted in a felony conviction and a 14-year suspension
Mistakes happen, but it’s important to learn and share to help others
Mountain snow in July
Tough winters result in healthier populations in the long term
Utah scenery stuns visitors and locals alike

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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110 – Ethan Justinger (Utah) and Chris Gilkey (Ohio) talk NAWEOA

Posted on August 7, 2023August 7, 2023 by nhfishcop10

After a short summer break, Warden’s Watch picks things up with a look back at NAWEOA 2023 with Ohio Wildlife Officer Chris Gilkey, and Utah’s Ethan Justinger. Now called the International Game Warden Association, this year’s conference was held in beautiful Provo, Utah in early July, with a jam-packed schedule of activities that included a wide variety of training, speakers, and fun for the whole family.

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Here’s what we discuss:

Game wardens watch – but it’s rough on binoculars
The value of conferences
“Everybody is on the same page.”
Utah conference provided activities for the entire family
What is VirTra training?
“All it takes is one” visit to NAWEOA
Awards are a humbling experience
Youth Room kept kids safe and entertained
Speakers were both interesting and inspirational
Keynote speaker Brody Young
Mindfulness training with Jeff Jones
“You are not alone.”
Scenarios can be recreated, but there’s no substitute for sharing lived experience
Bill Livezey, author of Let’s Go For A Ride
Tracking migration patterns through collaring
* Apache touch and go interlude *
K9 training demonstration
The annual Torch Run supporting the North American Game Warden Museum
Mickey Mouse pancakes
Game Warden skills competition; antler toss, fish drop, trivia, and fun
The ‘Warden Spawn’ youth team
NAWEOA 2023 in one word
Train hard, play hard, work hard
See you next year in British Columbia, Canada!

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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North Woods Throwdown – with Eric Fluette & Kris MacCabe

Posted on July 11, 2023July 11, 2023 by nhfishcop10

It’s that time of year again and game wardens from Maine and New Hampshire are ready to hit the field in Portland, Maine on July 28^th for the fourth annual North Woods Throwdown softball game! We’re joined by New Hampshire’s Eric Fluette and Kris MacCabe of Maine, taking a look back at previous games, and unveiling an exciting new streaming option so fans can tune in from anywhere and support Operation Game Thief. Come join the fun in person if you can, or grab your streaming ticket here!

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Here’s what we discuss:

Idea for a fundraising softball game started in Maine
Every game so far has been a squeaker
Fans shook the stadium!
Game bats are made in Maine
A ‘friendly’ rivalry
Extra, extra, extra innings
Stadium wanted to turn the lights off!
Streaming option will allow fans to tune in from anywhere
Dugout interviews and multiple cameras
Every kid’s dream to play in a stadium
Did wardens get paid for North Woods Law? (Hint: No.)
New Hampshire fans and giant head cutouts
Maine looking to tie the series
“We’re gonna need a bigger plaque.”

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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109 Michigan DNR History with Sgt. Mark Papineau

Posted on June 29, 2023June 29, 2023 by nhfishcop10

In this episode, we meet Michigan DNR Sgt. Mark Papineau. His official role as Technology Sergeant sees him researching new technology options, implementing software and equipment, and training Law Enforcement Division personnel – but he is also MiDNR’s foremost in-house historian, teaching recruits more than 100 years of the DNR’s storied history. Take a walk through time with Warden’s Watch and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources!

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Here’s what we discuss:

Michigan DNR began as a commission to protect and maintain fish stocks
First Michigan game warden appointed in 1887: attorney William Alden Smith
Reportedly the first salaried game warden in the nation
Smith went on to enter US Senate and chaired hearings into the Titanic disaster
His report resulted in major changes to maritime safety laws still in effect today
Early game wardens were paid by counties – some refused to pay
1893 amendment to Game Warden Act allowed officers to seize equipment
Game warden history can read like a Hollywood action movie script!
Stetsons and bloused boots
Citizens often submitted poaching and wildlife complaints by mail
The evolution of the uniform
Early laws weren’t consistent between states
Some early officers’ names are still recognized and respected today
Chase Osborn’s vision to preserve MI forests
The Great Depression saw the division reduced to 95 officers
Field Administration Division combined many divisions and increased numbers
Poof – you’re a CO!
Illegal market venison in the late 1800s
3000 miles of nets
DNR state seal
COs issued pistols in 1939 after officer deaths
Records have been lost through the years

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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107 Randy Nelson – British Columbia

Posted on June 2, 2023 by nhfishcop10

Randy Nelson is a retired 35-year veteran of Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), where he became the most decorated fisheries officer in the history of British Columbia. Two years after leaving his post as director of the DFO’s Conservation and Protection Branch in BC, he was ready to write about his extraordinary and sometimes life-threatening experiences, resulting in Poachers, Polluters and Politics: A Fishery Officer’s Career. Now he joins us to discuss his second release, The Wildest Hunt – a collection of tales ranging from horrifying to hilarious from hundreds of wildlife officers across North America.

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Here’s what we discuss:

Writing the book was like doing several investigations
Growing up in Saskatchewan
Started running to help train
Foot chases became common – poachers run!
Book features at least one story from every state, province and territory
Spoke to hundreds of officers to learn as much detail as possible
Oklahoma: Busted on Bumble
Alberta: When your hunting dog is a little too good
First book was more biographical
The Wildest Hunt was written to shine a light on domestic poaching and encourage involvement
People often think of poaching in terms of large African animals
“If you see something, say something”
What is cactus poaching?
75x more police officers than game wardens in North America
Ethical hunters are the best conservationists
A poacher is not a hunter
Poachers are often involved in other crimes
Operation Thunderstorm
Game wardens have a far higher chance of dying on the job than other law enforcement
Biologists, game wardens, and management need to work together
The economic impact and long-term effects of poaching
A portion of the profits from The Wildest Hunt will be donated to the Game Warden Museum
First book was never intended to be published
Every officer has stories
A picnic gone wrong…
Always ready to address stakeholder groups: contact Randy
One voice can make a difference

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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106 For the Fallen: WCO David Grove – Pennsylvania

Posted on May 15, 2023May 15, 2023 by nhfishcop10

Pennsylvania Wildlife Conservation Officer David Grove was known for his infectious smile, his deep faith, and his professionalism and commitment to the people and wildlife of his home state. On a quiet Veterans Day evening in 2010, Officer Grove was arresting a poacher when the suspect – a convicted felon – pulled a gun from his waistband and began firing. Despite having been shot, Officer Grove continued to return fire until he was fatally struck. He was 31 years old. Retired PGC Deputy Executive Director Thomas Grohol shares his memories of the incident, the aftermath, and the continuing legacy of an exemplary officer.

“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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Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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105 David Brady – Florida Fish and Wildlife

Posted on April 27, 2023April 27, 2023 by nhfishcop10

While patrolling the Florida Panhandle in August 2015, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Officer David Brady suddenly found himself in the fight of his life; what had seemed a routine stop quickly became an open-water gun battle. Shot twice, weighed down by equipment and treading water with a deflated life jacket, he continued to return fire until the would-be murderer – himself shot – finally sped away. Officer Brady joined us at NAWEOA to share his riveting story of survival, resolve, and preparedness.

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Here’s what we discuss:

17-year FWC veteran; Dive Team, Special Operations Group
Nothing is ever routine
Every encounter is different
Call was originally a disturbance complaint
Two ‘kids’ on a sailboat
Officer noticed alcohol and expired registration
Shooter went into the cabin to retrieve paperwork
Emerged from the cabin with a gun
Leapt off the boat as gunshots rang out
First shot passed through Brady’s shoulder – and life jacket
“He was hunting me.”
Returned fire from behind the patrol boat’s engines
Shooter jumped onto patrol boat, still shooting
Swimming, shooting, and reloading in full gear
Shooter then tried repeatedly to run over Brady
Brady continued firing, hitting shooter in the hand
Left for dead
A nearby Coast Guard vessel approaches
“I’ve been shot, and they stole my boat.”
The importance of dispatchers
Shooter and partner were arrested less than two hours later
News spread quickly on social media
Reunited with family at the hospital
Kevlar vest and training made the difference
Train to win
Kevlar vests are now mandatory to wear
“I’m still here.”
It only takes one time

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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104 Chris Johnson – Alaska – Part II

Posted on April 13, 2023April 13, 2023 by nhfishcop10

Picking up from our last episode, Wayne continues his conversation with Alaska Wildlife Trooper Chris Johnson. Come along as Chris shares more stories from his years patrolling the vast and sometimes unforgiving Kenai Peninsula as a US Fish and Wildlife officer, and looks forward to many more years of service to the people and wildlife of America’s true “Last Frontier.”

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