Tag: Ohio

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

Subscribe:

Find More Here:

113 Ian Obenshain & Brad Bailey – Big Boy: The Stolen Hunt

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

In the summer of 2009, Ian Obenshain and Brad Bailey began observing a colossal white-tailed buck feeding in an Ohio field. The friends had permission to hunt the area and immediately started documenting the huge animal’s growth, with the ultimate goal of Brad filming Ian harvesting ‘Big Boy’ during the fall archery season. Anticipation, however, soon turned to disappointment when the trophy buck suddenly disappeared – and then the story turned even stranger.

Our Sponsors:

Here’s what we discuss:

Origin of the name ‘Big Boy’
Ian first spotted the buck in a soybean field near a highway
“Have you shown this to anybody?”
Big Boy was a world class buck
The pursuit and subsequent events brought the two friends closer
Brad had guiding experience
Placing trail cameras and trying to predict the animal’s behavior
Many days were spent planning and scouting
The pair planned to film the hunt
Big Boy disappeared, but the hunters hoped to see him again
“I think it’s in the booth behind you.”
A plaque claimed the buck was a Kentucky state record
There was no doubt the buck had been poached
Hundreds of photos and videos provided evidence of the buck’s origins
The loss was a tough pill to swallow
Hunting a trophy animal is a huge commitment
It was gratifying to see how seriously law enforcement approached the case

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

Subscribe:

Find More Here:

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.

Our Sponsors:

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

Subscribe:

Find More Here:

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.

Our Sponsors:

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

Subscribe:

Find More Here:

96 Jason Keller – Ohio DNR: Lessons From A Shooting

Posted on November 24, 2022 by nhfishcop10

Ohio Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Officer Jason Keller was on the scene when fellow officer Kevn Behr was shot at close range by a poacher. In this episode, he recalls the incident and the aftermath, and shares some important lessons learned on that day.

Our Sponsors:

Here’s what we discuss:

Decoy operation began normally
Saw pickup truck drop a passenger with a long gun
Heard a shot ring out, and then screaming
The emergency button: technology can be a blessing
‘Stop the Bleed’ course
Packed the wound with gauze
Couldn’t find an exit wound
Perception of time changed
Shooter was identified right away
WIN philosophy: What’s Important Now?
Focus shifted to investigation
K-9 Scout located the shell casing
State trooper picked up the suspect
Shooter’s position identified by K-9 Scout at 48 feet (14.6m)
Public health protocols prevented visiting the hospital
Returned to the scene to search for additional evidence
Writing the Critical Incident report was challenging
Testified in court while suspect smiled
Officer Behr’s wife provided progress updates
Lessons learned: train as though scenarios are real
Be as mentally prepared as possible for critical incidents
Know where your First Aid kit is, and how to use it
When time allows, make sure to contact your own family
Dispatchers are a lifeline

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

Subscribe:

Find More Here:

95 Kevin Behr – Ohio: Shot By A Poacher

Posted on November 10, 2022 by nhfishcop10

Five days before Christmas 2020, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Officer Kevin Behr was shot from behind while investigating a poaching operation. Nearly two years and 15 surgeries later, he shares his remarkable story of survival, courage, and determination.

Our Sponsors: