Warden's Watch

What happens when a game warden takes on one of the toughest survival challenges on TV? West Virginia's Isaiah Tuck joins Wayne to share his incredible journey from enforcing wildlife laws to braving complete isolation on the hit series Alone. Discover the mental grit, survival skills, and life lessons that come from living off the land - and why solitude can be the ultimate teacher. Our Sponsors: Thin Green Line Podcast Don Noyes Chevrolet North American Game Warden Museum Hunt Regs WiseEye SecureIt Gun Storage XS Sights “A Cowboy in the Woods” Book Maine's Operation Game Thief International Wildlife Crimestoppers Here’s what we discuss: · Isaiah’s path to becoming a West Virginia game warden · “Every day as a game warden is about adapting to the unexpected.” · How wildlife law enforcement prepared him for survival challenges · Behind the scenes of Alone · Preparation, mindset, and reality · “The woods teach you patience - and patience is survival.” · The hardest part of isolation: mental battles and self-reflection · “Being alone strips you down to who you really are.” · Hunger, weather, and wildlife encounters · The gear he trusted most—and one item he wishes he'd brought · Lessons learned from solitude and self-reliance · Advice for anyone dreaming of testing their survival skills · “Survival isn’t about strength—it’s about adaptability.” Credits Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores Producer: Jay Ammann Warden’s Watch logo & 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 Threads YouTube RSS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this powerful episode of Warden’s Watch, Pennsylvania Game Wardens Phil Bietsch & TJ Knash share the story of a career-defining poaching case tied to the tragic death of fellow officer David Grove on Veteran’s Day 2010. From building trust to securing confessions, this case is a masterclass in investigative work and emotional resilience. Listen now to hear how justice was served, and a legacy honored. Our Sponsors: Thin Green Line Podcast Don Noyes Chevrolet North American Game Warden Museum Hunt Regs WiseEye SecureIt Gun Storage XS Sights “A Cowboy in the Woods” Book Maine's Operation Game Thief International Wildlife Crimestoppers Here’s what we discuss: · Phil and TJ were classmates at the Ross Leffler School of Conservation · Working as neighboring officers for four years, they’ve developed a strong investigative partnership · Emphasis on teamwork, rhythm in interviews, and rapport-building · Ryan Laumann is a known habitual game law offender · The case ties back to the tragic death of Game Warden Dave Grove in 2010, who was murdered by Chris Johnson during a poaching incident · Laumann was a passenger in the vehicle · Laumann “just went home.” · Johnson is now on death row · Equipment and training were improved · Laumann received a five-year license revocation · A tip from a former violator turned informant via Operation Game Thief · “I got away with it once, I can do it again.” · TJ took the lead · Keeping emotions in check · “Take your time.” · Officers conducted surveillance near Laumann’s residence · Multiple deer carcasses, gut piles, and antlers · Officers used rapport and strategic interviewing to gain Laumann’s trust · Jeff Baile’s interview and interrogation techniques were critical · Allowing the suspect to tell their version of the story · Laumann eventually confesses to killing multiple deer · From a good case to a great case · “Rapport is the foundation of everything.” · Laumann was charged with: 3 counts of illegal deer 3 tagging violations 3 counts of scattering high-risk parts 1 over-the-bag-limit charge · Final penalties: 5-year hunting license revocation and $2,800 in fines Credits Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores Producer: Jay Ammann Warden’s Watch logo & 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 Threads YouTube RSS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the chilling revelations of Episode 156’s “Killing Krew Klan,” the question remained: how would the justice system respond? What consequences did these young trophy hunters face, and did the punishment fit the crime? In this episode, Investigator Patrick Kiely returns to walk us through the penalty phase of the case. Join us as we uncover the final chapter in one of Connecticut’s most disturbing wildlife crimes. Our Sponsors: Thin Green Line Podcast Don Noyes Chevrolet North American Game Warden Museum Hunt Regs WiseEye SecureIt Gun Storage XS Sights “A Cowboy in the Woods” Book Maine's Operation Game Thief International Wildlife Crimestoppers Here’s what we discuss: · Convictions for wildlife crime aren’t always a slam dunk · The prosecutor in the case was an outdoorsman · Original roadside stop netted only a suspended sentence · Paring down up to 30 charges: what will stick? · Group pled guilty to jacklighting · $500 fines and three years’ probation · Banned from hunting for ten years · Conspiracy to sell wildlife and a probation violation · Getting support from judges and prosecutors · “Any time you serve a warrant … you’re opening a Pandora’s Box.” Credits Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores Producer: Jay Ammann Warden’s Watch logo & 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 Threads YouTube RSS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In late 2018, the Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police uncovered a chilling case involving a group of young trophy hunters. Over just a few months, they had illegally taken at least 19 deer - often during nighttime hunts near residential neighborhoods. What started as a routine investigation quickly unraveled into something far more disturbing: secret planning sessions, a manifesto detailing their exploits, and a twisted tribute to the grandfather who taught them to night hunt. Join Investigator Patrick Kiely as he recounts the unbelievable story of the “Killing Krew Klan.” Our Sponsors: Thin Green Line Podcast Don Noyes Chevrolet North American Game Warden Museum Hunt Regs WiseEye SecureIt Gun Storage XS Sights “A Cowboy in the Woods” Book Maine's Operation Game Thief International Wildlife Crimestoppers Here’s what we discuss: · An area known for night hunting · Spotting night hunters requires patience and timing · The state’s healthy deer population is tempting for poachers · A patrol officer spots suspicious signs · The initial arrest leads to more questions · Cell phones: everyone documents everything · “I wouldn’t even call them hunters; they were trophy poachers.” · It definitely wasn’t squirrels · The group is released but phones are seized · A stunning discovery · “It was an every-night occurrence.” · The group frequently hunted near houses · None of 19 deer were registered · The puzzle pieces: pictures, locations and times · The serial poaching had gone on for years, and had grown · Group relied on thinly stretched law enforcement · A specific 16-point buck and an unlikely story · US Fish and Wildlife joins the investigation · Cell phone metadata pinpoints locations and times · “Not a care in the world.” · A handwritten manifesto is found · The ‘zombie’ deer · Timing was perfect – and lucky · Even illegal roadkill wasn’t off limits to the ‘Klan’ · $100 does for sale, and banquet hall venison · Multiple deer were taken nightly · Managing investigations and public perception · Hunters had noticed a decline · “It was a joke to them.” · Many state charges were misdemeanors · Local hunters weigh in · Technology has changed investigation strategies · Limitation statutes prevented even more charges · Getting buy-in from other agencies · Balancing criminal and wildlife investigations can be a challenge · The cell phones were crucial · Rising bear population has led to conflicts · Educating the public · Staffing numbers are on the rise · “It was a learning experience for all of us.” Credits Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores Producer: Jay Ammann Warden’s Watch logo & 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 Threads YouTube RSS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we talk with Sgt. Blake Patterson, a Conservation Officer from Swan River, Manitoba, and President of the North American Game Warden Museum. Blake shares insights from his 17 years in the field and discusses the museum’s role in honoring game wardens and conservation officers across North America. Located at the International Peace Garden, the museum highlights the challenges of the profession and commemorates those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Our Sponsors: Thin Green Line Podcast Don Noyes Chevrolet North American Game Warden Museum Hunt Regs WiseEye 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 museum is a place every game warden should visit · Joined board in 2010 · It’s elk hunting season in Manitoba! · A unique moose lottery fundraiser · Manitoba moose population decline · “I’ve seen those game warden shows. I know I’m done.” · Fun regional expressions · The Fallen Officer Memorial Service · Many museum exhibits feature seized items · Antique snow machines and hand-powered rail cars · Always looking for older tools of the trade, uniforms and paraphernalia · Potential interactive exhibit featuring fallen officer biographies · A night hunting helicopter chase Credits Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores Producer: Jay Ammann Warden’s Watch logo & 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 Threads YouTube RSS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the third time, we were able to sit down at the International Game Warden Conference held this year in Erie, Pennsylvania, with Game Warden Chris Gilkey of Ohio, Game Warden Kris McCabe of the Maine Warden Service, myself, Wayne Saunders, host of the Warden's Watch podcast, and Game Warden Andy Hueser of the Pennsylvania Game Commission who was also instrumental in the organization and implementation of this year's game warden conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Traynor and Mike Hudson are the co-hosts of the Accessible Hunter Podcast, a show dedicated to promoting adaptive hunting and outdoor access for individuals with disabilities. Greg Traynor, a passionate outdoorsman from Pennsylvania, turned his personal experience with a spinal cord injury into a mission to help others overcome physical barriers in the outdoors. Through advocacy, education, and storytelling, Greg inspires hunters to stay connected with the hunting community regardless of ability. Mike Hudson, based in South Carolina, brings his own adaptive hunting experience and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by disabled hunters. Together, Mike and Greg use the Accessible Hunter Podcast to share powerful stories of resilience, adaptive equipment innovation, and the tight-knit community of accessible hunting enthusiasts. Their platform highlights not only the triumphs of adaptive hunters but also the importance of making the outdoors inclusive for everyone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices