Tag: Pennsylvania Game Commission

North American Game Warden Museum

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Maine Operation Game Thief

New Hampshire Operation Game Thief

North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association

Here’s what we discuss:

How Pennsylvania’s Tracking Team grew from a small grassroots idea
Wardens investing in their own training before the team officially existed
The missing person search that proved the team’s value
What it really means to be “the police in the woods”
Why earning a tab can take two to five years
The training required to stay on the team, from tracking to firearms to med skills
Why trackers focus on disturbance, not perfect boot prints
“If it was just footprints in the sand, we wouldn’t need a tracking team.”
Learning the natural patterns of the woods – and noticing what breaks them
How time, distance, and decision‑making shape every search
A call‑out that led to a young boy being found and returned home
A fugitive pursuit that unfolded just like a training scenario
“Everything clicked – it felt like Christmas morning.”
How tracking teams and K9 units support each other in the field
Knowing the limits of scent work and when human tracking matters most
The gear they carry and why preparation is everything
A quick snack can be a small thing that makes a big difference
How mapping and coordination happen before teams ever hit the woods
The close‑knit camaraderie that defines the team
What it means to wear the tab and lead by example
The “shirt off your back” tradition
Why so many wardens want to join the team – and why standards stay high
How teams like this help agencies stay trusted, capable, and relevant

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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159 Justice for Dave: A Poacher’s Reckoning

Posted on November 11, 2025November 11, 2025 by nhfishcop10

In this powerful episode of Warden’s Watch, Pennsylvania Game Wardens Phil Bietsch & TJ Knash share the story of a career-defining poaching case tied to the tragic death of fellow officer David Grove on Veteran’s Day 2010. From building trust to securing confessions, this case is a masterclass in investigative work and emotional resilience. Listen now to hear how justice was served, and a legacy honored.

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Here’s what we discuss:

Phil and TJ were classmates at the Ross Leffler School of Conservation
Working as neighboring officers for four years, they’ve developed a strong investigative partnership
Emphasis on teamwork, rhythm in interviews, and rapport-building
Ryan Laumann is a known habitual game law offender
The case ties back to the tragic death of Game Warden Dave Grove in 2010, who was murdered by Chris Johnson during a poaching incident
Laumann was a passenger in the vehicle
Laumann “just went home.”
Johnson is now on death row
Equipment and training were improved
Laumann received a five-year license revocation
A tip from a former violator turned informant via Operation Game Thief
“I got away with it once, I can do it again.”
TJ took the lead
Keeping emotions in check
“Take your time.”
Officers conducted surveillance near Laumann’s residence
Multiple deer carcasses, gut piles, and antlers
Officers used rapport and strategic interviewing to gain Laumann’s trust
Jeff Baile’s interview and interrogation techniques were critical
Allowing the suspect to tell their version of the story
Laumann eventually confesses to killing multiple deer
From a good case to a great case
“Rapport is the foundation of everything.”
Laumann was charged with:
- 3 counts of illegal deer3 tagging violations
- 3 counts of scattering high-risk parts
- 1 over-the-bag-limit charge
Final penalties: 5-year hunting license revocation and $2,800 in fines

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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106 For the Fallen: WCO David Grove – Pennsylvania

Posted on May 15, 2023May 12, 2026 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

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Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

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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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

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078 Brandon Pfister – PA Game Commission: The Veteran

Posted on February 24, 2022March 16, 2022 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!

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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

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077 Zach Salsgiver – PA Game Commission: The Rookie

Posted on February 24, 2022March 16, 2022 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.

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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

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026 Praveed “Abe” Abraham – Warden Pennsylvania Game Commission

Posted on January 30, 2020June 22, 2021 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.

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