In our final episode celebrating Women's History Month 2025, we’re excited to welcome Maine

game warden Mindy Rugg. Inspired by our very own podcast, Mindy transitioned from a successful career as a vet tech to become a game warden in 2021. Join us as she shares her journey, the challenges she faces, and the unique perspective women bring to the job.  

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Here’s what we discuss:

·       Gained many skills in her previous career as a vet tech

·       Needed to be outside

·       Listened to the Warden’s Watch podcast

·       Not everyone loves the game warden

·       Hired in 2021, full-time in 2022

·       Checking hundreds of boats a day

·       On the job experience can be the best communication training

·       People react well if you treat them fairly

·       Strategies to manage dyslexia

·       Spell check, Grammarly, and text-to-speech

·       Working in Western Maine – close to home, but not too close

·       “Every single day I learn something new.”

·       Mindy’s favorite Warden’s Watch episode

·       Maine Warden Service now has seven female officers

·       Many companies don’t make clothing for women in law enforcement

·       Don’t talk yourself out of it - make it happen

·       It’s no longer a shock to meet a female game warden

·       Women can bring a different perspective to the job

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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In this episode, we’re delighted to reconnect with Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Officer

Rachel Thurner-Diaz, who joined us way back in Episode 81. A lot has changed in the three years since we visited last; her husband has joined the local police department, and she is now balancing the demanding roles of a dedicated officer and a busy mom. Join us as we continue to explore the unique experiences and perspectives of women in conservation law enforcement.

Our Sponsors:

Thin Green Line Podcast

Don Noyes Chevrolet

North American Game Warden Museum

Hunt Regs

SecureIt Gun Storage

XS Sights

“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book

Maine's Operation Game Thief

International Wildlife Crimestoppers

Here’s what we discuss:

·       Officer Thurner-Diaz was a previous guest in Episode 81

·       Two law enforcement officers at home

·       PA is recruiting wardens

·       Protecting wildlife is a passion

·       More women are joining conservation law

·       The Fab Five

·       Game wardens of both genders need to be motivated and independent

·       Taught by Jeff Baile – another previous Warden’s Watch guest

·       Be compassionate but call out deception

·       A heated hunter and mistaken identity

·       PA has two wildlife agencies

·       The volunteer fish stocking program

·       Using the ‘mom voice’

·       Work-life balance can be challenging

·       Looking forward to summer

·       Trout stockers still don’t eat much trout

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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Back in 2018, a small group of female officers from Alberta Fish and Wildlife saw the need to

engage with each other more actively and support community causes at the same time. This dedicated team has since participated in charity fundraisers, launched an outdoor education camp for young women, and is now working to establish a scholarship to help even more women join conservation law enforcement. Let’s meet Alberta’s Wonder Wardens!

Our Sponsors:

Thin Green Line Podcast

Don Noyes Chevrolet

North American Game Warden Museum

Hunt Regs

SecureIt Gun Storage

XS Sights

“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book

Maine's Operation Game Thief

International Wildlife Crimestoppers

Here’s what we discuss:

· The beginnings of the Wonder Wardens

·  Camaraderie and promoting women in conservation law

· Polar dipping in uniform for charity

· Summer camp for future female game wardens

· Wildlife identification, hunting & fishing checks, drills and a mock investigation

· The break-in period

· “We complement each other.”

· Self-confidence matters

· People often make assumptions

· Plans to expand Wonder Wardens

·   Proceeds from merch sales will fund a scholarship

· “We’re small but we’re mighty.”

·   The importance of agency support

·   NAWEOA offers an opportunity to connect and share

· Uniforms and equipment are changing

·   Shooting competitions – an all-female team

·   Close encounters during grizzly relocations

·   Hunters are sometimes surprised to encounter a female warden team

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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Wrapping up the CJ Alexander series, we sit down with Christian Babcock and Jake Gaylord, the dynamic duo behind the popular Hunters Advantage podcast. In early 2024, Alexander made a memorable appearance on their podcast, spinning his well-worn underdog tale of an unbelievably lucky trophy buck - a tale that took a dramatic turn when it was later revealed he had already confessed to poaching it.  

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Line Podcast

Don Noyes

Chevrolet

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American Game Warden Museum

Hunt Regs

SecureIt

Gun Storage

XS Sights

“A Cowboy in

the Woods” Book

Maine's

Operation Game Thief

International

Wildlife Crimestoppers

Here’s what we discuss:

·        Christian posts, then removes, a video questioning the Alexander buck

·        Hunters Advantage podcast invites Alexander to tell his story

·        All large deer taken can be controversial

·        Alexander tells the hosts a convincing enough tale

·        “I came out of it with kind of an uneasy feeling.”

·        Alexander had appeared on the podcast after confessing to game wardens

·        The court-ordered apology letter

·        Public opinion was split

·        Misdemeanor charges moved to felony levels

·        Podcast appearances could have been used in sentencing

·        Technology makes poaching hard to hide

·        Antlers are like fingerprints

·        Podcast generated both positive and negative feedback

·        “We’re just common men with a nice microphone.”

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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Picking up from our last episode, we sit down with two of the Ohio game wardens responsible for bringing this case before the court. Wildlife Officers Isaiah Gifford and Matt Roberts outline the meticulous effort and tiny details that led to the indictment and ultimate guilty plea of the now-infamous poacher, CJ Alexander.

See this episode on YouTube here: EP140 CJ Alexander Buck The Officer's interview

Our Sponsors:

Thin Green Line Podcast

Don Noyes Chevrolet

North American Game Warden Museum

Hunt Regs

SecureIt Gun Storage

XS Sights

“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book

Maine's Operation Game Thief

International Wildlife Crimestoppers

Here’s what we discuss:

·       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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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

Our Sponsors:

Thin Green

Line Podcast

Don Noyes

Chevrolet

North American Game Warden Museum

Hunt Regs

SecureIt Gun Storage

XS Sights

“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book

Maine's Operation Game Thief

International Wildlife Crimestoppers

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

Subscribe:

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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!

Our Sponsors:

Thin Green Line Podcast

Don Noyes Chevrolet

North American Game Warden Museum

Hunt Regs

SecureIt Gun Storage

XS Sights

“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book

Maine's Operation Game Thief

International Wildlife Crimestoppers

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

Subscribe:

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Megaphone

Find More Here:

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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!

Our Sponsors:

Thin Green Line Podcast

Don Noyes Chevrolet

North American Game Warden Museum

Hunt Regs

“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book

Maine's Operation Game Thief

International Wildlife Crimestoppers

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

Subscribe:

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Spotify

Amazon

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Find More Here:

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Guidefitter is a platform tailored for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals, providing a vibrant community, exclusive gear discounts, and expert resources for activities like hunting and fishing. It connects members with professional guides and outfitters, enabling access to expert advice and guided trips. Verified users, such as guides, military personnel, and first responders, benefit from discounted gear from top outdoor brands. Additionally, the platform offers a rich database of outfitters, gear reviews, and educational content, making it a one-stop resource for planning and enhancing outdoor adventures. Guidefitter fosters a shared passion for the outdoors while supporting professionals in the field.

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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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