Warden's Watch

133 Tony Latham – Fire, Fish & Game and Fiction

Tony Latham is an author known for his engaging stories drawn 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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Here’s what we discuss:

·       Grew up dreaming of becoming a game warden, just like his great uncle

·       From fighting wildfires in Alaska to 22 years as an Idaho game warden

·       Helped a local warden with a poaching case in high school

·       “I was in awe of that truck.”

·       Early warden experiences laid the foundation for undercover work

·       A deadly poisoning case

·       A lawyer’s gamble that paid off – for law enforcement

·       Began writing after retirement

·       First book was a short guide to examining and matching firearms evidence

·       Fight or flight mode in undercover officers

·       The challenge of writing fiction after years of factual case reports

·       Game wardens never quite retire

·       Writing can bring unexpected rewards

·       A sneak peek at the latest work in progress: The Charley Cove series

·       Wildlife crime is often tied to more serious crimes

·       If you see something, say something – always

·       Returning home to 26 “hot tips”

·       Sharing skills learned

·       Chasing wildfire in Alaska

·       “I wanted to be a game warden.”

·       Getting into undercover work

·       Uniformed one week, undercover the next

·       The prolific poacher who would not say ‘elk’

·       Most cases can be handled by uniformed officers

·       Visit Tony online

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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132 Drew Milne – British Columbia, Canada

While deployed with the Canadian Armed Forces, Drew Milne picked up a book that inspired him to pursue his true calling and a new career as a conservation officer. Now, after almost two decades and multiple honors, he oversees the beautiful South Coast region of British Columbia, Canada, and teaches at the Western Conservation Law Enforcement Academy. We sit down with Drew at NAWEOA as he shares his passion for helping both recruits and field officers hone their skills through use of force training and de-escalation methods.

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Here’s what we discuss:

·        Changing careers after six years with the CAF

·        Joined as a seasonal officer in 2008

·        Three years assisting another agency in establishing a new enforcement wing

·        Learned about a park warden’s job while in a tank in Bosnia

·        An encounter with a CO back in Canada

·        Horseback in the Rocky Mountains: hang onto your hat!

·        A life-changing confrontation

·        Learning to lower the temperature

·        Body language matters as much as dialog

·        British Columbia’s CO uniform

·        The path to becoming a BC Conservation Officer

·        Worked at the 2010 Winter Olympics

·        The Yukon: helicopters, float planes, snowmobiles and wildlife

·        A sheep poaching case solved by lichen in a photo

·        BC’s Use of Force lead trainer – sharing lessons learned

·        Remaining calm and respectful, even in tense moments

·        “Who cares what happened before? Now is now.”

·        Personal connections are critical

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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131 Live from NAWEOA – with Drew Milne (BC), Kris MacCabe (ME) & Chris Gilkey (OH)

This episode finds us live at NAWEOA 2024 in in beautiful Penticton, BC with Maine’s Kris MacCabe, Chris Gilkey from Ohio, and Drew Milne of our host province, British Columbia, Canada. The guys sit down for a lively roundtable talk about their respective states and provinces, the beauty surrounding them, and of course, the incredible experience that is NAWEOA.

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Here’s what we discuss:

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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130 Lukas Madsen – Alberta, Canada

Ahead of NAWEOA 2024 in British Columbia, Canada, Wayne discusses warden life across the border with special guest Sgt. Lukas Madsen, a Fish & Wildlife officer in the neighboring province of Alberta. Sgt. Madsen discusses his path from growing up in the rugged beauty of the Northwest Territories to becoming a game warden, Alberta’s many outdoor opportunities, and shares a few adventures he’s had along the way.

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International Wildlife Crimestoppers

Here’s what we discuss:

·       What Canadian accent?

·       Originally set out to become a biologist

·       Growing up in Yellowknife; one road north, one road south

·       Great Slave Lake is one of the deepest in Canada

·       Outdoor experience creates an advantage

·       Education never stops

·       Had to build experience to be hired full-time

·       Working as a park ranger - aka the Party Police

·       Adventures in bear trapping

·       Sometimes euthanasia is the only option

·       The Western Conservation Law Academy

·       “The best job in the world.”

·       Alberta has an abundance of wildlife

·       A couple of unethical outfitters

·       Wildlife crimes in another country can result in big problems

·       NAWEOA: “We all have the same stories.”

·       Always move forward, always try to do better

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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When an officer-involved shooting occurs, we often hear a lot about the victim, but what happens to the person who pulled the trigger?

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Here’s what we discuss:

·       Officer-involved shooting: no one knew how to handle it

·       Systemic problems

·       You’re never the same person

·       One trauma can be a huge setback

·       Fit for duty

·       Stigma created by the word “homicide” in media

·       Called to investigate a suspected night hunter

·       Suspect fired at a citizen

·       The chase

·       Suspect stops, then rams Blaylock’s truck and flees

·       Vehicle does not stop at a roadblock

·       Suspect again rams officers’ vehicles

·       “I’m not making it home tonight.”

·       Less a decision than a reaction

·       Driver was a 15-year-old male

·       Praying for the driver

·       A helpless, solitary feeling

·       Driver recovered, and was later convicted only of night hunting

·       Officer Blaylock is immediately cleared of wrongdoing

·       Months of interviews and uncertainty

·       A single counselling session

·       “You have to talk about it. You cannot hold it in.”

·       Nearly eleven months off work

·       Stress and its impacts on the body

·       The entire family is affected

·       Friends - and even fellow officers - don’t know what to say

·       Law enforcement, PTSD and alcoholism

·       It’s okay to not be tough

·       Subjects went on to commit more felonies

·       “We don’t know how to handle needing a helping hand.”

·       The importance of being proactive

·       Learning what to expect, how to heal, and how to help

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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Bill Saunders' legacy is a testament to the enduring bond between family and nature. His love for the wilderness, deeply instilled in his sons, has blossomed into a tradition that transcends generations. This Father's Day, we explore their story; it's a legacy of living off the land, teaching the next generation to hunt ethically, and nurturing a passion that would one day set a young man on a familiar career path. A family's tradition, flourishing under the canopy of the great outdoors.

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Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH

International Wildlife Crimestoppers

Here’s what we discuss:

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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With record-high wildlife populations, Mississippi’s generous bag limits make it an attractive destination for hunters of all kinds, and game wardens are busy almost year-round. After 23 years with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP), Lt. Jason Blaylock has made substantial contributions to wildlife conservation and law enforcement in the Magnolia State, and was recently named the National Wild Turkey Federation Conservation Officer of the Year by the MDWFP. Lt. Blaylock joined us at NAWEOA.

Our Sponsors:

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North American Game Warden Museum

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:

·       Mississippi wardens are busy with game issues for much of the year

·       Working the famous river

·       Close to 200 officers in MS

·       Passing knowledge to the next generation of officers

·       Teaching methods have changed with technology advancements

·       Started school in a pre-med program

·       “I can’t see myself not being outside.”

·       A coincidence that led to a career

·       Many rural game wardens are ‘the’ local law enforcement

·       Opening day is like Christmas

·       Snakes!

·       MS game wardens used to sell licenses from their trucks and homes

·       Bag limits in Mississippi

·       No deer tags required

·       250+ spotlighting cases

·       13-year-old night hunters

·       Thanksgiving 2017: an unforgettable night hunting case

·       The repeat, repeat, repeat young offender

·       Suppressors are becoming more common in MS

·       Technology advancements are changing the way game wardens do business

·       The diversity of Mississippi provides a multitude of opportunities

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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126 For the Fallen: Julian Keen – Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission 

Florida FWC Officer Julian “Batman” Keen was known for his bright smile, relentless enthusiasm, and deep commitment to the people and wildlife of his home state. On a quiet Sunday morning in 2020, he heard a crash outside his home and looked out to see a truck driving recklessly. He gave chase without hesitation, eventually intercepting the hit and run suspect - who escaped - but inexplicably returned to the scene, opened fire and sped away. Officer Keen was 30 years old. His friend and mentor, FWC Lt. Pam Steelman shares the legacy of a remarkable young man, determined to fulfil a lifelong dream, and give back to the community he loved - and who loved him so dearly in return.

“It is not how these officers died that made them heroes; it is how they lived.” ~ National Law Enforcement Memorial, Washington, DC

Our Sponsors: 

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North American Game Warden Museum

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“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book

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Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH

International Wildlife Crimestoppers

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

Subscribe:

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I did this game warden commentary regarding Christopher Alexander, who allegedly poached a world-class buck in Ohio. I have heard so much speculation regarding this buck through social media that I had to engage on the side of the game wardens.

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Late winter and early spring can find a New England game warden with a little more free time than they’re used to, and many have found a sweet way to tap into one of the nature’s greatest springtime gifts. As maple syrup season draws to a close, we catch up with Maine’s Chris Simmons, of Simmons and Daughters Sugar House, and Ken St. Pierre, of Big Lake Maple in New Hampshire, to learn just what it takes to run a successful sugar house.

Our Sponsors:

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“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book

Hunt of a Lifetime

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Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH

International Wildlife Crimestoppers

Here’s what we discuss:

·        Chris got started making syrup with his brothers on the family farm

·        Tapping and processing with whatever they could find

·        Ken was inspired by a colleague who tapped

·        “That’s an awful idea.”

·        Rebuilding a 100-year-old evaporator

·        The expense of expansion

·        Buckets vs. tap lines

·        Weather has made this season’s sap run unpredictable

·        Syruping can be an activity for the whole family

·        Can be as basic or as complex as you want it to be

·        “A heat source, a thermometer, a vessel, and sap.”

·        Make room for friends and neighbors!

·        Chris’ recipe for maple hot dogs

·        Natural syrup is an antioxidant

·        More than a topping: cooking with maple

·        Travel-sized containers can come in handy

·        Where to find Chris and Ken’s websites

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

Subscribe:

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