Warden's Watch

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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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

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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

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Chevrolet

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Hunt Regs

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“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

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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!

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Hunt Regs

SecureIt Gun Storage

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“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

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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!

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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

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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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Hunt Regs App: Stay Legal. Strike Smart – With Ben Martin

Hunt Regs is a powerful mobile app that allows sportsmen to quickly determine hunting regulations for

their specific location and target species. This free-to-try app also allows hunters to journal target

sightings while automatically recording detailed conditions, enabling users to easily track movement

patterns and create a comprehensive “Smart Strike” plan - all designed to produce a successful and legal

hunt. Co-creator Ben Martin joins us for a deep dive into this one-of-a-kind tool, available now on the

AppStore.

Our Sponsors:

Thin Green Line Podcast

Don Noyes Chevrolet

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

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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136 Operation Night Cat with Ron Arsenault & Kevin Bronson – New Hampshire

It started with a single game camera trained on an illegal bait site. Evidence recovered from that camera would ultimately lead to a lengthy multi-agency investigation, and the arrest of a ring of poachers who would trade hundreds of photos and videos of their multiple illegal harvests. In this episode, New Hampshire COs Ron Arsenault and Sgt. Kevin Bronson break down the story of “Operation Night Cat.”

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Thin Green Line Podcast

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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:

·        Upcoming YouTube channel featuring NH game wardens

·        Investigation began as an illegal deer baiting case

·        Cell phone pictures reveal a protected bobcat shot at night

·        US Fish & Wildlife is brought in

·        Multiple search warrants are executed

·        A mountain of digital evidence reveals several suspects

·        Poaching activities were incredibly well-documented

·        “It was like they had a camera crew.”

·        One suspect attempts to hide a cell phone… but is foiled by K9 Winni

·        Bobcat, deer, crows, fisher, coyotes, and foxes were all targeted

·        Speed and coordination are key when executing warrants

·        The importance of preservation letters to prevent destruction of evidence

·        Poaching also occurred in other states, more charges could be pending

·        Five people were arrested, charged with over 50 night hunting violations alone

·        Felony charges were also laid

·        County attorneys were integral to these cases

·        Local sportsmen were “appalled, and wanted to help.”

·        Poaching is still prevalent and ongoing

·        “One guy may start, but it takes a team to get a win.”

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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135 Whooping Crane Shootings with Emily Long – Oklahoma 

In late 2021, members of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation responded to a report that would lead to a nearly two-year, multi-departmental investigation into the shooting deaths of four whooping cranes, one of the rarest and most endangered birds in North America. In this episode, Wildlife Investigations Specialist Emily Long, whose dedication and meticulous work on this case earned her the title of 2024 IWC Game Warden of the Year, details the story.

Our Sponsors: 

Thin Green Line Podcast

Don Noyes Chevrolet

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:

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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Megaphone

Find More Here:

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Warden’s Watch / TGL Store

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