New York – Warden's Watch

158 Ricardo Grisolini – New York

Posted on October 31, 2025October 31, 2025 by nhfishcop10

Ricardo Grisolini, a New York State Environmental Conservation Officer with roots in northern Italy, brings a sharp eye and a sharp wit to wildlife law enforcement. From chasing down poachers to setting up decoy deer that even landowners can’t resist, his stories are packed with twists, laughs, and lessons. In this episode, Ricardo shares some of his most unforgettable and entertaining cases from two decades on the job.

Our Sponsors:

⁠Thin Green Line Podcast⁠

⁠Don Noyes Chevrolet⁠

⁠North American Game Warden Museum⁠

⁠Hunt Regs⁠

⁠SecureIt Gun Storage⁠

⁠XS Sights⁠

⁠“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book⁠

⁠Maine’s Operation Game Thief⁠

⁠International Wildlife Crimestoppers⁠

Here’s what we discuss:

· Growing up in Northern Italy’s “laces”

· Raised and hunted birds from an early age

· Slow cooked pulled turkey

· “This job is not a job; it’s a career.”

· Working in Madison County is “a game warden’s dream.”

· The charter captain’s Christmas fish and the Salvation Army police

· Donating confiscated fish and meat

· A VERY convincing decoy setup nets multiple charges

· A substantial illegal baiting operation on private property

· Poacher insists he used a crossbow

· Trail cams tell a different story

· “The point was out of respect for the animal.”

· Social media can be a warden’s best friend

· New York ECOs don’t wear a traditional badge

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

150 Tony Rigoli – New York

Posted on July 2, 2025 by nhfishcop10

Lt. Anthony Rigoli is an Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) who works for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). In this episode, he takes us through his time as an ECO based in the last place anyone would expect to run into a game warden – New York City!

Our Sponsors:

Thin Green Line Podcast

Don Noyes Chevrolet

North American Game Warden Museum

Hunt Regs

SecureIt Gun Storage

XS Sights

“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book

Maine’s Operation Game Thief

International Wildlife Crimestoppers

Here’s what we discuss:

The Great American Outdoor Show
Many new officers begin in New York City
“It’s a unique experience.”
Assigned to Marine Enforcement Unit
Specialized training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)
Encountering high-end watercraft
“Being a cop is dangerous. Being out on the ocean is dangerous.”
Many people are unaware there are game wardens in NYC
Checking fish markets for prohibited goods
The not-so-secret signal for illegal turtles
City-dwelling coyotes
Piloting a brand new 44-foot jet boat
The challenges of living and working in the city
“You’ll come away with experiences that no other game warden is going to get.”
Working with highly experienced and talented officers
Shoreline fishing in Manhattan and crafty hiding spots
Tips from the public matter
17 conservation officers policing 8 million people
An outrageous illegal chemical dumping case

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

149 Deming Lindsley (Ret.) – New York

Posted on June 9, 2025June 9, 2025 by nhfishcop10

In this episode, we delve into the long and distinguished career of Deming Lindsley, a retired Lieutenant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Division of Law Enforcement. Known for his expertise in Fish and Wildlife Law, Lindsley served as a primary instructor at both the State College and the Division’s Training Academy for decades. His engaging personality and sense of humor made him popular among both colleagues and students, and he continues to guest lecture today, leaving a lasting impact on countless officers – including our host!

Our Sponsors:

Thin Green Line Podcast

Don Noyes Chevrolet

North American Game Warden Museum

Hunt Regs

SecureIt Gun Storage

XS Sights

“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book

Maine’s Operation Game Thief

International Wildlife Crimestoppers

Here’s what we discuss:

Taught Fish & Wildlife Law at state university and Law Enforcement Training Academy.
Authored a charging reference guide for judges
No bail in New York
Patrolling with Dad
Growing up the game warden’s kid
Assigned first patrol in 1972
Promoted to Lieutenant in just four years
Teaching at Academy vs. College
The unintentional getaway driver
A news crew ride-along catches a poacher red-handed
“You don’t need a license to jack deer.”
Attempted bribe doesn’t go as planned
Little green lies
Even municipal employees can be tempted
“Don’t go down to the cellar.”
Keeping up with changing Fish & Wildlife laws
People want to talk about animals and laws
More lightning strikes than black bear attacks.
“I never had to go to work.”
Spearheaded one of the first Critical Incident Response teams
Sent to NYC on 9/11
Awards and plaques of thanks from all over
Tried to enforce the spirit of the law, rather than the letter of the law
Not all violators are criminals
Teaching generations of conservation law officers
A namesake K9
“Do the job. You’ll never regret it.”

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

024 Capt Tom Caifa – New York’s 140th Anniversary Conservation Protection

Posted on January 2, 2020June 22, 2021 by nhfishcop10

Conservation protection and enforcement in the late 1800s looked a lot different than it does today. We speak with Historian and Conservation Officer Captain Tom Caifa about the history of conservation law and protection over the last 140 years in New York State. The stories are priceless.

Our Sponsors:
Guidefitter
RODgeeks
Maine’s Operation Game Thief

Here’s What We Discuss:
The 140th Year of New York’s Conservation Police
Captain Tom Caifa
Historian and Conservation Officer
Showing New Recruits the Roots
Old Seal Skin Hats and New Jackets
A Law Book and Blank Tickets
The Case Would Lead the Travel
Broad Rules and Laws
1880 – Labrador Duck, Eastern Elk
Low Numbers of Deer and Turkey
Stopping Mass Hunting and Big Company Habitat Destruction
Hard to Find Game Protection Until 1930s
$500/year Income ($14000 today’s money)
NYC Illegal Trade
Wild Meat Canning
Chef Boyardee – Fined for Illegal Canning of Wild Meat
The Big Boom Post WWII
Population Creates Problems
Ticonderoga – A Deal with Landowners
Tanneries and the First Pollution Cases
Sam Taylor 1914
Fallen Officer’s Coin
Bill Kramer
Looking to the Military for Uniform Design
Secret Service of Game Protectors and Undercover Agents
Education and Public Outreach
Partnering with the NRA
Hunter Safety Hall of Fame
It Was a Hunting Accident But Was Probably a Homicide Back Then
Game Protectors to Game Wardens
Being Shot in the Badge
Department of Environmental Conservation
The First Game Police
Eb and Flow of Morale
The Swiss Army Knife of Law Enforcement
The Olympics at Lake Placid