Tag: Operation Game Thief

Don Noyes Chevrolet

Warden’s Watch / TGL Store

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

Posted on October 7, 2022 by nhfishcop10

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.

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Don Noyes Chevrolet

Warden’s Watch / TGL Store

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

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079 Chad Eyler – PA Game Commission: Command Staff

Posted on February 24, 2022March 16, 2022 by nhfishcop10

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.

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Warden’s Watch / TGL Store

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:

Find More Here:

Website

074 The Ellises – Father & Son Game Wardens

Posted on December 30, 2021December 30, 2021 by nhfishcop10

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.

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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

Posted on December 16, 2021 by nhfishcop10

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.

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072 Benny Richards – Texas

Posted on November 18, 2021 by nhfishcop10

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”.

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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

Posted on November 4, 2021 by nhfishcop10

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.

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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

070B Jeff Baile – The Wave – Bonus

Posted on October 29, 2021 by nhfishcop10

A Bonus Episode to Episode 070…

070 Jeff Baile – Illinois Part One

Posted on October 22, 2021 by nhfishcop10

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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

Posted on September 30, 2021 by nhfishcop10

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.

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