Warden's Watch

174 Chris Egan - With Tayton Keezer This episode brings us a fresh perspective as Conservation Law student Tayton Keezer steps behind the mic to interview retired New Hampshire CO Chris Egan. What starts as a simple student-to-officer conversation turns into a mix of mentorship, hard truths, and wild field stories, as Tayton connects what he’s learning in school to what the job really looks like in the field. 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 Iron Skillet Seasonings Maine Operation Game Thief New Hampshire Operation Game Thief Conservation Officers of Pennsylvania North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association International Wildlife Crimestoppers North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association Here’s what we discuss:  Tayton stepping in as guest host and kicking things off with Chris  Chris’ early love for the outdoors and where it came from  Growing up around hunting, fishing, and camp culture with family  “I think it’s innate in every kid… it just needs to be fostered.”  Early influences from his dad and grandfather  Developing people skills at a young age by learning from others in the field  The importance of curiosity and asking questions  The best parts of the job, independence and building your own patrol days  “Patrolling woods and waters in an area that I love to be in”  Flexibility in choosing how to work, from boats to ATVs to foot patrol  Balancing independence with the structured nature of the role  Least favorite parts - including paperwork and detailed reporting  The reality that reports can become court evidence  The harder side of the job: fatalities, searches, and recoveries  “Those things don’t go away… they’re like a scar in your mind.”  How difficult calls can stay with you over time  Advice for young hunters and anglers entering the outdoors  Concerns about fewer kids spending time outside  “I just don’t understand how you could be bored outside.”  The mental health benefits of being outdoors  The joy and meaning the outdoors brought to Chris’ life  The balance of the job, rewarding one day and demanding the next  “Some days you shouldn’t be getting paid… other days you should be getting paid 10 times.”  Early interactions with wardens and how they shape perception of the role  Field techniques and tricks learned from other officers  A case involving illegal exotic animals inside a residence  Walking into what felt like a zoo inside someone’s home  A late-night Sasquatch call  “I had to respond to it without laughing.”  The risks of working in remote areas at night  A major poaching case involving a moose shot multiple times  The long investigation that went unsolved for years  A last-minute confession just before the statute of limitations expired  “I’m here to take responsibility for what I did.”  Accountability, personal change, and closure in that case  Chris’ approach to enforcement, firm but fair  The importance of maintaining relationships in small communities  How those relationships can impact safety and future cases  Conservation officers as a voice for wildlife  Encouragement for the next generation entering the field  Reflecting on a career built on passion, responsibility, and respect Credits Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores Producer: Jay Ammann Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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