Tag: Wayne Saunders

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Investigation began as a typical follow up when a trophy animal is taken
Alexander spins his tale
Wildlife officers visit the alleged kill site
The staged site seems unusual, but mostly believable
A video arrives showing the animal 10 miles away
Wardens take a closer look
A bait pile and other evidence is found
Trail camera photos show the deer in the area
A grid search locates more evidence
Tiny details in a photo confirm officers’ suspicions
“There’s a knife – and there’s another knife!”
Alexander admits lying about the site
Antlers had already been sold, and are confiscated
Foliage at the supposed kill site does not match photos
Search warrants solidify the evidence
The poacher continues to make false claims publicly
Charges include tampering with evidence and theft by deception
Investigators meticulously pore through the evidence
“At the end of the day, we knew what we had.”
An Ohio record for restitution

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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139 CJ Alexander – The Facts

Posted on January 30, 2025January 30, 2025 by nhfishcop10

For a time, Christopher “CJ” Alexander seemed to be everywhere; on the news in his native Ohio, in magazine articles, and featured on various hunting-related podcasts, telling the tale again and again of how he took a massive 18-point buck – a trophy in the running to be among the top three typical whitetails of all time. In the end, fame turned into felony charges, and the windfall he expected became instead a whopping $43,000 in fines. Hear the facts as read by an investigator involved in the case.

See this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/w_rulXxzkKE

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Here’s what we discuss:

Wayne reads a note from Alexander
Deer becomes an internet sensation
Everyone loved the underdog story
Ohio DNR follows up
Information casts doubt on Alexander’s story
A photo and legwork begin to unravel the lies
Animal was poached on private property
Cell phone records reveal a plan
They name the buck Megatron
“Buying a house type money.”
Alexander shoots the buck… poorly
The deer is found and removed under cover of darkness
An elaborate cover up is put into motion
High expectations for big profits
“Can cell phone location data be used as evidence against me?”
Alexander pleads guilty to 14 charges
Deer was targeted solely for money and fame

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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138 Wardens:Case Files on the Outdoor Channel

Posted on January 12, 2025January 12, 2025 by nhfishcop10

Get ready – a new series featuring real game warden stories is coming to the Outdoor Channel! Premiering in the US on Friday, February 14th at 9:30pm EST, Wardens: Case Files will feature game wardens recounting some of their most unforgettable cases, complete with gripping reenactments. I am honored to be the first guest. We sit down with host Randy Nelson and producer Kayla Schoen for a look at this exciting new show. You won’t want to miss it!

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Here’s what we discuss:

· A new game warden show on the Outdoor Channel

· Based on Randy Nelson’s book, The Wildest Hunt

· “Every warden probably has a book of stories.”

· Game wardens are great storytellers

· Tales from the serious to the silly

· Show format is “similar to a fireside chat.”

· A picnic gone wrong…

· Show will promote poaching awareness

· Many cases have been made by tips from the public

· “If you see something, say something.”

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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137 KP Boatright – Georgia DNR

Posted on January 1, 2025January 1, 2025 by nhfishcop10

Despite having been on the job since just 2020, Georgia Game Warden KP Boatright has received multiple accolades, including the Public Safety Act of Heroism award for rescuing a drowning hunter at great personal risk. We caught up with KP as he accepted the prestigious NAWEOA Torch Award, presented to new officers who demonstrate exceptional ability and initiative. Join us for a chat with another rising star from Georgia DNR!

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Here’s what we discuss:

· NAWEOA Torch Award winner

· Using social media for investigations

· A suspicious alligator trapper leads to multiple charges

· “The Swiss Army knife of law enforcement.”

· Assisting fellow law enforcement officers

· An online aptitude test suggests a career path

· “Boneheaded” teenage behavior causes a slight delay

· A supportive chain of command

· The importance of different perspectives

· People generally want to talk if you make them comfortable

· An upcoming wedding!

· The ‘dead’ alligator that blinked

· “You never know what you’re gonna come across.”

· Lake Seminole: Georgia’s best kept secret

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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UPDATE: CJ Alexander – CONVICTED

Posted on December 12, 2024January 29, 2025 by nhfishcop10

In late 2023, an 18-point trophy whitetail buck was taken illegally in Ohio. After an intense, high-profile investigation, several men pleaded guilty and were sentenced. The ringleader of the group also pled guilty and was sentenced this week to 90 days in jail and ordered to pay a combined $43,000 in penalties.

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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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Hunt Regs App: Stay Legal. Strike Smart – With Ben Martin

Posted on December 5, 2024December 5, 2024 by nhfishcop10

Hunt Regs is a powerful mobile app that allows sportsmen to quickly determine hunting regulations for their specific location and target species – no more wading through guidebooks or complicated websites. This free-to-try app also allows hunters to journal target sightings while automatically recording detailed conditions, enabling users to easily track movement patterns and create a comprehensive “Smart Strike” plan – all designed to produce a successful and legal hunt. Co-creator Ben Martin joins us for a deep dive into this one-of-a-kind tool, available now on the App Store.

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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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136 Operation Night Cat with Ron Arsenault & Kevin Bronson – New Hampshire

Posted on November 15, 2024November 15, 2024 by staceydesroches

It started with a single game camera trained on an illegal bait site. Evidence recovered from that camera would ultimately lead to a lengthy multi-agency investigation, and the arrest of a ring of poachers who would trade hundreds of photos and videos of their multiple illegal harvests. In this episode, New Hampshire COs Ron Arsenault and Sgt. Kevin Bronson break down the story of “Operation Night Cat.”

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Here’s what we discuss:

Upcoming YouTube channel featuring NH game wardens
Investigation began as an illegal deer baiting case
Cell phone pictures reveal a protected bobcat shot at night
US Fish & Wildlife is brought in
Multiple search warrants are executed
A mountain of digital evidence reveals several suspects
Poaching activities were incredibly well-documented
“It was like they had a camera crew.”
One suspect attempts to hide a cell phone… but is foiled by K9 Winni
Bobcat, deer, crows, fisher, coyotes, and foxes were all targeted
Speed and coordination are key when executing warrants
The importance of preservation letters to prevent destruction of evidence
Poaching also occurred in other states, more charges could be pending
Five people were arrested, charged with over 50 night hunting violations alone
Felony charges were also laid
County attorneys were integral to these cases
Local sportsmen were “appalled, and wanted to help.”
Poaching is still prevalent and ongoing
“One guy may start, but it takes a team to get a win.”

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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135 Whooping Crane Shootings with Emily Long – Oklahoma

Posted on October 24, 2024 by nhfishcop10

In late 2021, members of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation responded to a report that would lead to a nearly two-year, multi-departmental investigation into the shooting deaths of four whooping cranes, one of the rarest and most endangered birds in North America. In this episode, Wildlife Investigations Specialist Emily Long, whose dedication and meticulous work on this case earned her the title of 2024 IWC Game Warden of the Year, details the story.

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Here’s what we discuss:

Sole full-time investigator in Oklahoma
New positions created to investigate both state and federal wildlife crimes
Jointly funded by both state and federal departments
Fewer than 600 whooping cranes left worldwide
OK closes hunting when advised by USGS that cranes are migrating
Local wardens respond to a call about an injured whooping crane
The wounded bird is rescued, but does not survive
Days later, a stationary tracking device is detected nearby
Game wardens discover the crime scene
Investigation reveals three more deceased cranes
Painstakingly searching thousands of cell tower records
Suspects are slowly eliminated
Geolocation data finally offers a break
The first confession exposes four suspects
Potentially accidental shootings lead to intentional coverup
Charges are brought under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
All four men plead guilty
A collective total of $71,000 in fines
Multiple agencies at all levels collaborated to bring the case to a successful conclusion

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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134 Tyler & Chris Johnson – Alaska Bear Attack

Posted on September 18, 2024September 18, 2024 by nhfishcop10

While hunting in Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula in August, Tyler Johnson and his father were suddenly charged by a large brown bear. Despite being seriously injured and accidently shot through the leg, the seasoned outdoorsman calmly filmed a video documenting the attack while waiting for rescue. Tyler and his dad join us to share their harrowing story.

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Here’s what we discuss:

Tyler’s dad Chris is a previous Warden’s Watch guest
A father and son trip ahead of a planned move to Texas
Working through dense brush, the pair emerge into tall grass
Chris hears a guttural growl
At the last moment, the bear pivots toward Tyler
Tyler races to unholster his sidearm
In seconds, the bear is on him
At some point, he accidentally shoots his left leg
“Oh… it has a collar.”
Both men fire at the animal
Immediate triage
Tyler’s boot is filling with blood
Chris applies a tourniquet to stop the bleeding
Tyler calmly documents the aftermath
Fifteen seconds
Preparing the helicopter landing zone
Rescue is almost two hours away
Airlifted to Anchorage
“Wow, this is beautiful. My leg hurts.”
A gunshot wound on one leg, a large gash on the other
Chris’ training had kicked in immediately
Tyler had saved his father in a previous medical emergency
“Now we’re even.”
Remained in Alaska for treatment
Takeaways: Always bring a trauma kit
Twenty-four rounds were fired
A small cub is found at the scene the next day
The Garmin InReach was integral to rescue
“Gunshot victim, bear mauling… and then the hospital staff just got me.”

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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133 Tony Latham – Fire, Fish & Game and Fiction

Posted on August 27, 2024August 27, 2024 by nhfishcop10

Tony Latham is an author known for his engaging stories that draw from his extensive experience as an Idaho game warden and years spent fighting wildfires in Alaska. His career has been as adventurous as the characters in his books – including a lengthy undercover operation documented in his 2012 debut novel, Trafficking: A Memoir of an Undercover Game Warden. Now, several books later, he sits down to discuss his rich background, current projects, and more.

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