114  Operation “Root of All Evil” with Kirk Kiefer – Ohio

Kirk Kiefer has been a wildlife investigator with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the past 15 years. In this episode, he walks us through Operation “Root of All Evil,” a lengthy and complex investigation into the illegal ginseng trade that spanned multiple states, included unmarked vehicles, extended surveillance, buys and sales by undercover officers, and even a fake business.

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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

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

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

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

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 28th 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

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

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

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

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

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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Here’s what we discuss:

  • Chasing illegal baiters
  • Truck through the ice!
  • Recovering vehicles from water
  • A lifetime of physical fitness
  • Teaching HIIT classes as co-owner of Tides Yoga Studio
  • Small injuries can cause big problems
  • Exceed expectations when training
  • Consistency is paramount
  • An uneasy encounter in a remote village
  • The balance between enforcing wildlife laws and respecting indigenous lifestyles
  • Treaties have since changed subsistence living rules
  • A significant bear snaring case
  • Evidence showed it had been going on for years
  • Multiple scenes were discovered
  • Poachers were taking only the gall bladders
  • The illegal gall bladder trade
  • Alaska State Troopers are currently recruiting
  • Survivor Island
  • Your most important survival tool is your brain

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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