Warden's Watch

By Wayne Saunders / John Nores

This podcast brings you stories from Game Wardens across the world. Listen to their favorite cases, worst cases, what led them to their career, and what makes their job unique. Hosted by retired game ... more

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FAQs about Warden's Watch:

How many episodes does Warden's Watch have?

The podcast currently has 217 episodes available.

Warden's Watch episodes:

July 11, 2023North Woods Throwdown – with Eric Fluette & Kris MacCabe
It’s that time of year again and game wardens from Maine and New Hampshire are ready to hit the field in Portland, Maine on July 28th for the fourth annual North Woods Throwdown softball game! We’re joined by New Hampshire’s Eric Fluette and Kris MacCabe of Maine, taking a look back at previous games, and unveiling an exciting new streaming option so fans can tune in from anywhere and support Operation Game Thief. Come join the fun in person if you can, or grab your streaming ticket here!

Our Sponsors:
Thin Green Line Podcast
Don Noyes Chevrolet
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:
Idea for a fundraising softball game started in Maine
Every game so far has been a squeaker
Fans shook the stadium!
Game bats are made in Maine
A ‘friendly’ rivalry
Extra, extra, extra innings
Stadium wanted to turn the lights off!
Streaming option will allow fans to tune in from anywhere
Dugout interviews and multiple cameras
Every kid’s dream to play in a stadium
Did wardens get paid for North Woods Law? (Hint: No.)
New Hampshire fans and giant head cutouts
Maine looking to tie the series
“We’re gonna need a bigger plaque.”

Credits
Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores
Producer: Jay Ammann
Art & Design: Ashley Hannett
Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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...more
28min
June 29, 2023109 Michigan DNR History with Sgt. Mark Papineau
In this episode, we meet Michigan DNR Sgt. Mark Papineau. His official role as Technology Sergeant sees him researching new technology options, implementing software and equipment, and training Law Enforcement Division personnel – but he is also MiDNR’s foremost in-house historian, teaching recruits more than 100 years of the DNR’s storied history. Take a walk through time with Warden’s Watch and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources!

Our Sponsors:
Thin Green Line Podcast
Don Noyes Chevrolet
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:
Michigan DNR began as a commission to protect and maintain fish stocks
First Michigan game warden appointed in 1887: attorney William Alden Smith
Reportedly the first salaried game warden in the nation
Smith went on to enter US Senate and chaired hearings into the Titanic disaster
His report resulted in major changes to maritime safety laws still in effect today
Early game wardens were paid by counties – some refused to pay
1893 amendment to Game Warden Act allowed officers to seize equipment
Game warden history can read like a Hollywood action movie script!
Stetsons and bloused boots
Citizens often submitted poaching and wildlife complaints by mail
The evolution of the uniform
Early laws weren’t consistent between states
Some early officers’ names are still recognized and respected today
Chase Osborn’s vision to preserve MI forests
The Great Depression saw the division reduced to 95 officers
Field Administration Division combined many divisions and increased numbers
Poof - you’re a CO!
Illegal market venison in the late 1800s
3000 miles of nets
DNR state seal
COs issued pistols in 1939 after officer deaths
Records have been lost through the years

Credits
Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores
Producer: Jay Ammann
Art & Design: Ashley Hannett
Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

Subscribe:
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TuneIn
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...more
49min
June 23, 2023 TGL031 Shane Bedard
Shane Bedard is a tactical medical instructor with the Air Force National Guard. Medics are priceless in critical incidents when life is on the line. Shane started out as parachute support and then crossed trained with the medic group. The training consisted of 250 hours in a Huey helicopter and set the stage for additional training as an EMT and firefighter.

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...more
1h 29min
June 16, 2023108 Katie Gervasi with Cpt. Jen Wolf – Michigan DNR Part I
Katie Gervasi is the Communications Representative for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, and has the significant task of telling the stories COs are often too humble to tell themselves. Whether it’s crafting press releases and news items, maintaining the Department’s web presence, or shooting photos on ride-alongs, she shines a light on the important work of COs across the state. We are also pleased to welcome back one of our very first guests, Captain Jen Wolf.

Our Sponsors:
Thin Green Line Podcast
Don Noyes Chevrolet
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:
Katie’s role at DNR
Communication is one of a CO’s most important skills
The diversity of Michigan’s resources
Supporting Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger
Patrolling the Great Lakes
Extensive water safety training
Other jurisdictions have reached out to receive training
Always something to do in Michigan
Clear water – how far down can you see?
Every season brings a whole new world
Shining a positive light on wildlife law enforcement

Credits
Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores
Producer: Jay Ammann
Art & Design: Ashley Hannett
Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

Subscribe:
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Spotify
Amazon
Google
Waypoint
Stitcher
TuneIn
Megaphone
Find More Here:
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Facebook
Facebook Fan Page
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...more
35min
June 14, 2023 Randy Nelson - Wild Hunt
short bonus story

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...more
8min
June 02, 2023107 Randy Nelson– British Columbia
Randy Nelson is a retired 35-year veteran of Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), where he became the most decorated fisheries officer in the history of British Columbia. Two years after leaving his post as director of the DFO’s Conservation and Protection Branch in BC, he was ready to write about his extraordinary and sometimes life-threatening experiences, resulting in Poachers, Polluters and Politics: A Fishery Officer’s Career. Now he joins us to discuss his second release, The Wildest Hunt – a collection of tales ranging from horrifying to hilarious from hundreds of wildlife officers across North America.

Our Sponsors:
Thin Green Line Podcast
Don Noyes Chevrolet
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:
Writing the book was like doing several investigations
Growing up in Saskatchewan
Started running to help train
Foot chases became common – poachers run!
Book features at least one story from every state, province and territory
Spoke to hundreds of officers to learn as much detail as possible
Oklahoma: Busted on Bumble
Alberta: When your hunting dog is a little too good
First book was more biographical
The Wildest Hunt was written to shine a light on domestic poaching and encourage involvement
People often think of poaching in terms of large African animals
“If you see something, say something”
What is cactus poaching?
75x more police officers than game wardens in North America
Ethical hunters are the best conservationists
A poacher is not a hunter
Poachers are often involved in other crimes
Operation Thunderstorm
Game wardens have a far higher chance of dying on the job than other law enforcement
Biologists, game wardens, and management need to work together
The economic impact and long-term effects of poaching
A portion of the profits from The Wildest Hunt will be donated to the Game Warden Museum
First book was never intended to be published
Every officer has stories
A picnic gone wrong…
Always ready to address stakeholder groups: contact Randy
One voice can make a difference
Credits
Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores
Producer: Jay Ammann
Art & Design: Ashley Hannett
Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Amazon
Google
Waypoint
Stitcher
TuneIn
Megaphone
Find More Here:
Website
Warden’s Watch / TGL Store
Facebook
Facebook Fan Page
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...more
1h 4min
May 15, 2023 106 For The Fallen: WCO David Grove - Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Wildlife Conservation Officer David Grove was known for his infectious smile, his deep faith, and his professionalism and commitment to the people and wildlife of his home state. On a quiet Veterans Day evening in 2010, Officer Grove was arresting a poacher when the suspect - a convicted felon - pulled a gun from his waistband and began firing. Despite having been shot, Officer Grove continued to return fire until he was fatally struck. He was 31 years old. Retired PGC Deputy Executive Director Thomas Grohol shares his memories of the incident, the aftermath, and the continuing legacy of an exemplary officer.

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

Our Sponsors:
Thin Green Line Podcast
Don Noyes Chevrolet
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
Art & Design: Ashley Hannett
Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Amazon
Google
Waypoint
Stitcher
TuneIn
Megaphone
Find More Here:
Website
Warden’s Watch / TGL Store
Facebook
Facebook Fan Page
Instagram
Twitter
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RSS

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
50min
April 27, 2023105 David Brady – Florida FWC
While patrolling the Florida Panhandle in August 2015, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Officer David Brady suddenly found himself in the fight of his life; what had seemed a routine stop quickly became an open-water gun battle. Shot twice, weighed down by equipment and treading water with a deflated life jacket, he continued to return fire until the would-be murderer – himself shot – finally sped away. Officer Brady joined us at NAWEOA to share his riveting story of survival, resolve, and preparedness.

Our Sponsors:
Thin Green Line Podcast
Don Noyes Chevrolet
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:
17-year FWC veteran; Dive Team, Special Operations Group
Nothing is ever routine
Every encounter is different
Call was originally a disturbance complaint
Two ‘kids’ on a sailboat
Officer noticed alcohol and expired registration
Shooter went into the cabin to retrieve paperwork
Emerged from the cabin with a gun
Leapt off the boat as gunshots rang out
First shot passed through Brady’s shoulder – and life jacket
“He was hunting me.”
Returned fire from behind the patrol boat’s engines
Shooter jumped onto patrol boat, still shooting
Swimming, shooting, and reloading in full gear
Shooter then tried repeatedly to run over Brady
Brady continued firing, hitting shooter in the hand
Left for dead
A nearby Coast Guard vessel approaches
“I’ve been shot, and they stole my boat.”
The importance of dispatchers
Shooter and partner were arrested less than two hours later
News spread quickly on social media
Reunited with family at the hospital
Kevlar vest and training made the difference
Train to win
Kevlar vests are now mandatory to wear
“I’m still here.”
It only takes one time

Credits
Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores
Producer: Jay Ammann
Art & Design: Ashley Hannett
Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

Subscribe:
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Spotify
Amazon
Google
Waypoint
Stitcher
TuneIn
Megaphone
Find More Here:
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...more
39min
April 13, 2023104 Chris Johnson – Alaska – Part II
Picking up from our last episode, Wayne continues his conversation with Alaska Wildlife Trooper Chris Johnson. Come along as Chris shares more stories from his years patrolling the vast and sometimes unforgiving Kenai Peninsula as a US Fish and Wildlife officer, and looks forward to many more years of service to the people and wildlife of America’s true “Last Frontier.”

Our Sponsors:
Thin Green Line Podcast
Don Noyes Chevrolet
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:
Chasing illegal baiters
Truck through the ice!
Recovering vehicles from water
A lifetime of physical fitness
Teaching HIIT classes as co-owner of Tides Yoga Studio
Small injuries can cause big problems
Exceed expectations when training
Consistency is paramount
An uneasy encounter in a remote village
The balance between enforcing wildlife laws and respecting indigenous lifestyles
Treaties have since changed subsistence living rules
A significant bear snaring case
Evidence showed it had been going on for years
Multiple scenes were discovered
Poachers were taking only the gall bladders
The illegal gall bladder trade
Alaska State Troopers are currently recruiting
Survivor Island
Your most important survival tool is your brain

Credits
Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores
Producer: Jay Ammann
Art & Design: Ashley Hannett
Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Amazon
Google
Waypoint
Stitcher
TuneIn
Megaphone
Find More Here:
Website
Warden’s Watch / TGL Store
Facebook
Facebook Fan Page
Instagram
Twitter
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RSS

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
1h 12min
March 31, 2023103 Chris Johnson – Alaska
When US Fish and Wildlife Captain Chris Johnson reached the mandatory retirement age, he wasn’t quite ready to hang up his hat, so he did what most never would; after 33 years of federal service, he went right back to the Academy and became an Alaska State Wildlife Trooper! Join us as Chris shares stories of the outdoors from “Alaska’s Playground” - the rugged and stunningly beautiful Kenai Peninsula.

Our Sponsors:
Thin Green Line Podcast
Don Noyes Chevrolet
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:
Mandatory retirement from Federal law enforcement service
Torn between becoming a professional football player or game warden
Began career with the National Park Service and local PD in Minnesota
Joined USFWS in 1989
First full-time Federal wildlife law enforcement officer in the Alaska refuge system
Part-time positions now being phased out
Arriving at the 2-million acre Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
“The playground of Alaska.”
A one-day orientation
The first of many bear mauling cases
Charged by three juvenile brown bears in a row
A sow had been shot
Cubs became dangerously habituated to humans
The best bear defense
Bear incidents increased through the years
Black and brown bears tend not to mingle
Joined first USFWS Honor Guard team
Only federal member of state Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT)
Back to the Academy!
Previous experience was a huge advantage
Hoping to rejoin SIRT
The moose that shot back
Teasers for a follow-up: a truck through the ice and a ‘warm’ welcome to the Kenai

Credits
Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores
Producer: Jay Ammann
Art & Design: Ashley Hannett
Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Amazon
Google
Waypoint
Stitcher
TuneIn
Megaphone
Find More Here:
Website
Warden’s Watch / TGL Store
Facebook
Facebook Fan Page
Instagram
Twitter
YouTube
RSS

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
1h 8min

FAQs about Warden's Watch:

How many episodes does Warden's Watch have?

The podcast currently has 217 episodes available.

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