After more than 30 years with Georgia DNR, Sgt. Shawn Elmore joins Warden’s Watch for a long‑awaited conversation filled with humor, hard lessons, and unforgettable cases. From hunting alongside his dad as a child to becoming one of Georgia’s leading boating‑incident investigators, Shawn shares a mix of heartfelt family stories, outrageous poaching cases, and high‑stakes investigations that helped change state law. Join us for a candid, funny, and deeply human look at life behind the badge.

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Here’s what we discuss:

·        Finally recording after four years of trying

·        Shawn’s 30+ year career with Georgia DNR

·        Growing up hunting with his dad

·        “That’s what I’m gonna do for a living.”

·        His son becoming interested in law enforcement

·        Catching multiple in‑laws over the years

·        “It takes you a long time to build your credibility… and a snap of a finger to lose it.”

·        People claiming to “know” wardens to get out of trouble

·        Losing friends after catching them or their kids

·        Multi‑year landfill hunter case with warnings, tickets, then arrest

·        A later case involving another family connection

·        Hunting traditions, beagles, rabbits, and swamp rabbits

·        Southern sayings and the “Lost in Translation” team

·        The convicted felon firearm case: “Let me guess - the bullet fairy put this in your pocket.”

·        Reading body language as a critical warden skill

·        “Our mouths can get us into trouble, and they can keep us out of trouble.”

·        The 501‑charge poaching investigation

·        Conspiracy, false statements, and multi‑year suspensions

·        Charging only what can be won in court

·        Identifying violators based on decades of local knowledge

·        His role with Georgia’s boating reconstruction team

·        Early fatal boating cases and long‑lasting emotional impact

·        High‑profile boating incident involving police officers

·        The Jake and Griffin Prince case and Georgia’s BUI law change

·        Challenges unique to boating investigations: sinking, drifting, disappearing evidence

·        Teaching reconstruction and impaired‑operation detection nationwide

·        The Georgia Outdoor News “Hall of Shame” bait case

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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