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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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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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.

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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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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.

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“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:

·        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

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Annie Teall is a seasoned emergency services dispatcher renowned for her calm and effective handling of crisis situations. With over 27 years of experience in dispatch, Annie has become a pivotal figure in emergency response within the San Bernardino community. She gained national recognition during the tragic terrorist attack at the Inland Regional Center on December 2, 2015, where she was the primary police dispatcher. During this critical event, Annie managed the intense flow of emergency communications, demonstrating exemplary professionalism and composure under pressure. Her efforts not only facilitated the rapid response of law enforcement and emergency services but also underscored the vital role dispatchers play in managing public safety crises. Annie's career reflects a profound commitment to public service and safety.

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Kevin Estela's lifelong passion for the outdoors was kindled in childhood by his fascination with his father's WWII survival stories in the Philippines. This interest deepened through activities like hiking, kayaking, fishing, and hunting in New England, alongside reading extensively on survival and wilderness skills. Over time, his passion evolved into a profession focused on sharing his knowledge through Estela Wilderness Education, where he serves as the Owner and Head Instructor.

Kevin is a prolific author with over 100 print articles in notable magazines like RECOIL, OFF-GRID Magazine, and American Survival Guide, and he has penned numerous online articles and a book titled "101 Skills You Need to Survive in the Woods." His expertise is recognized by various product companies that sponsor him as a Professional Outdoorsman, and he maintains a reputation for providing honest product feedback based on extensive field experience. He is a sought-after speaker and instructor across the United States and in the United Kingdom, teaching a broad range of survival skills. In 2015, he founded the Estela Wilderness Education Fund to support educational programs for underprivileged youth.

Kevin has appeared on the History Channel and brings a comprehensive background in martial arts, including training in Sayoc Kali and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, to his survival and wilderness instruction. His previous experience as a lead instructor at the Wilderness Learning Center, under the mentorship of survival authority Marty Simon, along with his retail and guiding experience in outdoor recreational products, has deeply informed his teaching philosophy and approach.

Additionally, Kevin has a solid foundation in education and athletics, being a full-time high school history teacher and a former track and field coach, with degrees in American Studies and Secondary Education. His multifaceted expertise in survival skills, martial arts, and education makes him a uniquely capable and enriching instructor to his students.

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Topics:

Trailblazing Conservation: Hulda Neal - America's First Female Game Warden

90 Year Old Cold Case in Idaho Finally Solved

Drones in the Crosshairs: Pennsylvania Case Sparks Debate Over Technology in Wildlife Recovery

Community Vigilance Leads to Sturgeon Poaching Convictions  

Montana Rancher's Hybrid Sheep Creation Leads to Legal Trouble

Crackdown on Illegal Elver Fishing Leads to Multiple Arrests in Nova Scotia

Game Warden Rescues Black Bear Trapped Inside Car in the Poconos

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