Ty Runyan is a state game warden with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Besides being a rancher, driving instructor, former K9 handler and sometimes-snake wrangler, he may be best known for his TikTok presence. Ty’s lighthearted, interesting, and educational short videos have attracted more than 175,000 followers. In this episode, he and Wayne discuss the value of social media as an outreach and recruitment tool, and share some exciting stories from the field.
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Here’s what we discuss:
Ty gives a passerby some adviceEveryone knows where the game warden livesA bit about Ty’s backgroundSocial media as an outreach toolAn accidental TikTokkerGetting Departmental approvalTaking the bad with the goodRecruitment and legal questions from everywhereUsing the platform to change perceptionsComedy helps to defuse situationsTy’s rodeo adventuresFew game wardens employing TikTok – so far“It’s amazing what people will put on social media”Helping other states make casesConservation efforts have helped restore declining populationsSnakes!A family of teachers Spotlighting poachers: right place, right timeLarger platform has helped engage future game wardens
Credits
Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores
Producer: Jay Ammann
Art & Design: Ashley Hannett
Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches
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