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!

Our Sponsors:

Thin Green Line Podcast

Don Noyes Chevrolet

Sovereign Sportsman Solutions

“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book

Hunt of a Lifetime

Maine’s Operation Game Thief

Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH

International Wildlife Crimestoppers

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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Stitcher

TuneIn

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Find More Here:

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Warden’s Watch / TGL Store

Facebook

Facebook Fan Page

Instagram

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93 Col. Joel Wilkinson (Ret.) – Maine – Part II

Joel Wilkinson spent 28 years serving the state of Maine, including twelve years as Colonel of the Maine Warden Service. Now retired, Col. Wilkinson sits down with Wayne to reflect on an extraordinary career that began when he was just a teen. In this episode, we discuss his swift rise through the ranks, a television show that almost wasn’t, the challenges and rewards the outdoors can provide, and some valuable lessons learned along the way.

Our Sponsors:

Thin Green Line Podcast

Don Noyes Chevrolet

Sovereign Sportsman Solutions

“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book

Hunt of a Lifetime

Maine’s Operation Game Thief

Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH

International Wildlife Crimestoppers

Here’s what we discuss:

  • Captain to Colonel
  • Remembering Maj. Gregg Sanborn
  • Choosing quality leaders
  • Every day was an education
  • We all started in the same place
  • Empowering people through Operation Game Thief (OGT)
  • The wall of shame
  • Fundraising to offer larger rewards
  • International Wildlife Crimestoppers provided fresh ideas
  • The Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact
  • OGT trailers manned at all times; “we have to tell the stories.”
  • Blazing the North Woods Law trail
  • Turned down the original request
  • What are our fears? What are our goals?
  • It had to be authentic without being disrespectful
  • A gentlemen’s agreement
  • Popularity brought some unexpected situations
  • Ending the Maine story in the best way possible
  • Didn’t want to be seen as making money
  • The diversity educated the public
  • Inspiring kids to become game wardens
  • Passing the torch to New Hampshire
  • The North Woods Throwdown
  • Back Woods Law?!?
  • Bluefin tuna fishing takes more than skill
  • You have to do a lot of little things right
  • It’s all about respect for the animal
  • Confidence comes with experience
  • Plan to be successful
  • The abundance mentality
  • Life after retirement

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

Subscribe:

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Amazon

Google

Waypoint

Stitcher

TuneIn

Megaphone

Find More Here:

Website

Warden’s Watch / TGL Store

Facebook

Facebook Fan Page

Instagram

Twitter

YouTube

RSS

079 Chad Eyler – PA Game Commission: Command Staff

In our final installment from the PA Game Commission, Wayne talks with PGC Special Permits Division chief Chad Eyler. Besides being an administrator for Pennsylvania’s Operation Game Thief program and the architect of one of the most successful wildlife crime reporting lines in the US, he also has the unique perspective of having worked for all three state conservation agencies. In this episode, Chad explains the formation, structure, and funding of the agency, the Deputy Game Warden program, and much more.

Our Sponsors:

Thin Green Line Podcast

Sovereign Sportsman Solutions

“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book

Hunt of a Lifetime

Maine’s Operation Game Thief

Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH

International Wildlife Crimestoppers

Here’s what we discuss:

  • A good game warden story
  • Leader in wildlife forensics
  • Forensics skills can apply to all aspects of the job
  • Formation of the Game Commission
  • Refuges and ranges
  • Game lands help fund the agency
  • Low-cost hunting and trapping licenses
  • Explaining the Deputy Warden program
  • Almost a hobby
  • Hundreds of thousands of hunters
  • Keeping the agency moving forward
  • Issued a typewriter and a revolver
  • Refocusing priorities and adapting with the times
  • “It literally takes my breath away”

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

Subscribe:

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Amazon

Google

Waypoint

Stitcher

TuneIn

Megaphone

Find More Here:

Website

Warden’s Watch / TGL Store

Facebook

Facebook Fan Page

Instagram

Twitter

YouTube

RSS

074 The Ellises – Father & Son Game Wardens

Lee Ellis knew he wanted to be a South Carolina game warden from the time he was a teenager. His son Hunter considered a few different occupations before realizing his destiny was in his father’s footsteps. Listen as they discuss their respective career paths, the unique benefits and challenges of growing up in a game warden family, and the changes they’ve each seen through the years. They may be Captain and Officer, but at the end of the day, they’re family. 

Our Sponsors: 

Thin Green Line Podcast

Sovereign Sportsman Solutions

“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book

Hunt of a Lifetime

Maine’s Operation Game Thief

Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH

International Wildlife Crimestoppers

Here’s what we discuss:

  • Not the first South Carolina father/son warden team
  • Hunter always wanted to be a game warden… sort of
  • Not a lot of dads can say they work with their kids
  • Perseverance paid off for Lee
  • The Swiss army knife of law enforcement
  • Shrimp baiting
  • It’s all about preserving nature
  • Education and enforcement go hand in hand
  • Take One Make One program
  • Non-traditional law enforcement role; it’s a lifestyle, not a job
  • Family support is essential
  • Cat and mouse
  • Everyone knows the game warden
  • Adapt using technology, but keep your roots
  • How to catch an alligator
  • President of International Wildlife Crimestoppers
  • Hosting the 2021 IWC conference
  • Telling wardens’ stories is key
  • Promoting positive interactions
  • Encouraging the next generation

073 Scott Gray – Reformed Poacher

Wayne, Lt. Jim Kneeland, and reformed poacher Scott Gray gather to discuss Scott’s poaching scheme that started in the 1990s. He took poaching to a new level. He practiced at home to see how how quiet he could make his weapons, buried a freezer in his shed, and believe it or not, once took the warden’s entry test. Wayne discusses with Scott and Lt. Kneeland, Scott’s tactics, preparation, and to what extent he took his illegal craft, and how it all changed one day.

Our Sponsors: 

Thin Green Line Podcast

Sovereign Sportsman Solutions

“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book

Hunt of a Lifetime

Maine’s Operation Game Thief

Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH

International Wildlife Crime Stoppers

072 Benny Richards – Texas

Benny Richards is a former Game Warden for Hunt County, Texas. Richards worked for over 25 years for the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife, and is well known for his appearances on “Lone Star Law”. During his time as a warden, he earned accomplishments such as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Officer of the Year (2015) and the Shikar-Safari International Wildlife Officer of the year award. In this episode, Wayne interviews Benny on his role as a Texas warden and the stories of “Lone Star Law”.

Our Sponsors: 

Thin Green Line Podcast

Sovereign Sportsman Solutions

“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book

Hunt of a Lifetime

Maine’s Operation Game Thief

Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH

International Wildlife Crime Stoppers

Here’s What We Discuss:

  • “Tales of a Texas Game Warden” by Benny Richards
  • Virtual book signing: December 2nd at 7:00pm
  • Recently retired
  • Everything is real
  • New season of Lone Star Law is coming
  • Game warden and peace officer
  • First interaction with a game warden
  • Different trails
  • Cocaine in the taxi cab
  • Dirty deeds under the cover of dark
  • Trip to jail makes them pass out
  • Phones change everything
  • Moving the bucket
  • Watch to get evidence
  • Wardens answer more than just outdoor calls
  • Housing development
  • Landowner permission
  • Diverse environment 
  • Upcoming children’s book
  • Moose antler

071 Jeff Baile – Illinois Part II

Jeff Baile is a retired conservation police officer and instructor in Illinois. He started out as a patrol officer in 1976, and moved to become a conservation police officer in 1979. Additionally, Jeff has worked as an instructor in his self-developed interview and interrogation course across the country. Jeff is a Certified Forensic Interviewer, and a member of the International Association of Interviewers. It is estimated he extratected over 7000 confessions over the course of his career. In this episode, Jeff speaks on his interviewing techniques, best stories, and more.

Our Sponsors: 

Thin Green Line Podcast

Sovereign Sportsman Solutions

“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book

Hunt of a Lifetime

Maine’s Operation Game Thief

Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH

International Wildlife Crime Stoppers

Here’s What We Discuss:

  • There’s no end to it, stick new stuff in
  • Compliance increase after communication skills increases
  • Catfish case
  • Killed 24,000 fish, 600 bullfrogs
  • Boat accident
  • Published poaching 
  • Hotel deer
  • 25 illegal racoons 
  • The Beagle 
  • Making a case out of an interview
  • A person can only control their body language for so long
  • Everyone can learn it
  • A dead eagle 
  • Columbo style
  • Baile & Associates courses
  • Administrative and teacher classes
  • Different prongs

070 Jeff Baile – Illinois Part One

Jeff Baile is a retired conservation police officer and instructor in Illinois. He started out as a patrol officer in 1976, and moved to become a conservation police officer in 1979. Additionally, Jeff has worked as an instructor in his self-developed interview and interrogation course across the country. Jeff is a Certified Forensic Interviewer, and a member of the International Association of Interviewers. It is estimated he extratected over 7000 confessions over the course of his career. In this episode, Jeff speaks on his interviewing techniques, best stories, and more.

Our Sponsors: 

Thin Green Line Podcast

Sovereign Sportsman Solutions

“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book

Hunt of a Lifetime

Maine’s Operation Game Thief

Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH

International Wildlife Crime Stoppers

Here’s What We Discuss:

  • Conservation police
  • Getting into a niche
  • What do you need to do in interrogation 
  • Mobile training unit
  • Body language and lie detection are two different animals
  • Interview before interrogation
  • Gather facts
  • Retell the story
  • Truth never changes
  • Getting good at interviews
  • Suppressing “we” 
  • Conservation – specific course
  • Use both police and conservation examples
  • Interrogating our kids

069 Jeffrey Milner – Indiana

Jeffrey Milner is a conservation warden and K9 unit coordinator working for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. He has been working for over 27 years, 23 of those as a K9 handler. Throughout his time as a K9 officer and coordinator, Jeffrey has trained a multitude of dogs and has also had many of his own. He also helped found the Conservation Canine Officers Association. In this episode, Jeffrey tells some of his many stories that he has collected over the years. 

Our Sponsors: 

Thin Green Line Podcast

Sovereign Sportsman Solutions

“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book

Hunt of a Lifetime

Maine’s Operation Game Thief

Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH

International Wildlife Crime Stoppers

Here’s What We Discuss:

  • K9s are embedded in our organization 
  • Jeffrey’s background
  • Knocking on the game warden’s door
  • 1 lab turned into 11 labs
  • Only 9 other agencies that had K9 agencies
  • Dogs are an introduction 
  • Dogs help to bridge the message of conservation
  • First partner
  • Indiana is one of the biggest K9 agencies in the country
  • Primarily labrador retrievers
  • I name my dogs with purpose
  • Journey: running a track on suspects
  • Different terrain holds scent differently
  • You have to love it to do it
  • Voyage’s best track – lifesaving
  • Fury: ginseng diggers 
  • When you put value on a resource people will exploit it
  • Koda: in training
  • Training schools
  • From no members to 108 members in the CCOA
  • When I hang up my K9 shoes, the program is in good hands
  • Facility
  • Jason Lagore – Ohio
  • Follow and like Conservation Canine Officers Association on Facebook
  • Tight budgets
  • People will know a dog’s name 20 years later