Tag: Pennsylvania Game Commission

106 For the Fallen: WCO David Grove – Pennsylvania

Posted on by nhfishcop10

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

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

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

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

Posted on 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.

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

078 Brandon Pfister – PA Game Commission: The Veteran

Posted on by nhfishcop10

Continuing our visit to Pennsylvania, Wayne sits down with State Game Warden Brandon Pfister, a former restaurateur who joined the Game Commission as a Deputy Warden in 2008. In this wide-ranging conversation, Brandon talks about some memorable cases, going viral on TikTok, and even shares some tips for a prize winning pie crust!

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:

  • Snakes!
  • If at first you don’t succeed…
  • Deputy game warden program
  • The elk whistle and the viral TikTok
  • The importance of outreach
  • Everyone makes mistakes
  • Cooking wild game
  • Talking with kids
  • Humanizing the badge
  • Snakes!
  • Connecting with the next generation
  • Working together toward a common goal

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Cover Art: Ashley Hannett

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

077 Zach Salsgiver – PA Game Commission: The Rookie

Posted on by nhfishcop10

On the eve of graduation, Wayne sits down at the Pennsylvania Game Commission with Zach Salsgiver, one of 24 members of the latest class of the Ross Leffler School of Conservation in Brockway, PA. Established in 1932, the school – part college, part police academy, and part museum – was the first of its kind in the US. Listen as Zach explains what drew him to a career in wildlife, and shares some of his experiences from his ten-month journey toward becoming a Pennsylvania game warden.

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:

  • Academy attached to HQ building
  • Day one can be a culture shock
  • Switching careers
  • Expanding recruitment into other states
  • Academy history
  • Training for anything
  • The most eastern elk herd
  • Seeing wildlife in a different light
  • Job carries many risks 
  • Verbal judo and understanding body language
  • Fostering the next generation of hunters
  • The class that gets tased together… 
  • Wildlife forensics training
  • Building a 44-week family
  • Wayne’s advice for new wardens
  • Never finish learning

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

026 Praveed “Abe” Abraham – Warden Pennsylvania Game Commission

Posted on by nhfishcop10

Praveed “Abe” Abraham’s journey to Game Warden is unique.  Abe’s travel’s began in India as a young man and then to Yonkers, New York in the concrete jungle.  Abe always knew that he loved the outdoors and wildlife and on a chance, applied to be a game warden.  Not long after Abe found himself at the Academy and he’s never looked back. Abe is the first ethnic Game Warden in Pennsylvania.

Our Sponsors:

Guidefitter

RODgeeks

Maine’s Operation Game Thief

Here’s What We Discuss:

  • The Park and Nature
  • Guyana – Hunting in the Jungle
  • Concrete Jungle
  • Waffle House and Farming
  • Hamburg PA
  • I Move Away from India
  • XYZ, Dead Deer Training
  • Calling Yonkers
  • I Got In
  • Boarding School Prep for the Academy
  • The First Ethnic Warden
  • 51 Weeks, A Specific and Special Place
  • Acronyms
  • Game Warden Aren’t Going to be Millionaires
  • Law of the Woods
  • If Everything was Sunshine and Rainbows
  • Sprayed with Mace
  • The Pochonos Love Capital
  • A Huge Bear Population
  • A Bear at Hunter’s Safety Classes

018 Mark Rutkowski – The Bear Trap

Posted on by nhfishcop10

Mark Rutkowski is one of six supervisors for the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Mark started out as a deputy and eventually worked his way into a full time Warden. Mark has been involved in many interesting game thief investigations over the years in a state with a rich tradition of hunting. Mark shares with us many stories on this episode.

Our Sponsors:
OnX Hunt Maps
Wireless Partners
Guidefitter
RODgeeks
Maine’s Operation Game Thief

Here’s What We Discuss:

One of 6 in the State of PA
The Deputy Program 325
There for Resources Not Money
Special Tactical Team
Rhodesian Army
Being Comfortable in the Woods
The Creek Thing
The Bear Trap
A Conservation Land, Sweeping for Mines, Open for Hunting
Paramedic in Scranton
10 Deputies that Became Game Wardens
On the Job Training
A Culture
1% of the Hunting Population in PA
1st Day Deer Season is Like Xmas
Saturday Afternoon after Thanksgiving
Hunting Tradition and Participation
A Sportsmen’s Meeting, Antler Restrictions
Poacher, Killing Several Hundred Deer
Ring Bologna – A Christmas Sausage
A Stolen Car, Another Poacher
Chop Shop and Burglary
An Attorney on Retainer, Career Criminal
Three Point Restrictions, Controversial to Support
800+ lbs Black Bear, Pike County
25 Group Hunting Parties, But No Baiting
Half Finished Mounts, Stolen Mounts
Two Hides, Cutting Tags, He Ratted On Himself