Warden's Watch

Wayne Saunders / John Nores
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  • WILDERNESS
  • EVERY TWO WEEKS

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 wardens Wayne Saunders and John Nores.

  1. 171 Kevin & Kathy Behr - Survivors With Purpose

    6 HR AGO

    171 Kevin & Kathy Behr - Survivors With Purpose

    On this episode of Warden’s Watch, we sit down again with Ohio’s Kevin Behr - this time joined by his wife, Kathy - to talk about survival, recovery, and the purpose they’ve found after Kevin was shot in the line of duty. Recorded at the International Game Warden Conference, this conversation goes beyond the incident itself and into what happens after - for officers, spouses, families, and anyone navigating a critical incident. A powerful update, an honest conversation, and a reminder that survival comes with responsibility - and that even in the worst moments, purpose can still be found. 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:  Kathy’s spouse‑focused training on critical incidents - and why she created it  “You don’t realize what you don’t have in place until it’s happening”  Navigating power of attorney, medical decisions, and legal realities mid‑crisis  Being Kevin’s voice while he was unconscious - medically and legally  Why law enforcement statements on medication can be problematic in court  The emotional toll on spouses and kids when an officer is critically injured  Kevin seeing purpose in survival: “We did - they didn’t, so we have work to do.”  Turning trauma into something meaningful, even when healing isn’t linear  Stubbornness as a survival trait (and yes, it helped)  Brain injury recovery, negativity, and recognizing the long road back  Living with permanent change and reframing it positively  “Any fool can get through this - I’m living proof.”  The power of humor in trauma recovery  Doctors who refuse to give up: “Nobody quits on my team. Not even you.”  Finding a new purpose when the old one can’t exist anymore  How Kevin’s experience now helps train officers, trauma teams, and agencies  The ripple effect of sharing hard truths so others can prepare  Sidebar conversations that matter more than the main stage  Why laughing, crying, and telling the story all matter  “Everybody’s the main character in their own story.”  Surviving isn’t the end - it’s the beginning of responsibility  Kevin and Kathy as resources for those walking similar paths  Miracles along the way - and choosing to keep them moving forward 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    32 min
  2. Field to Fork - Wild Game Cooking with Iron Skillet

    23 APR ·  BONUS

    Field to Fork - Wild Game Cooking with Iron Skillet

    In this episode of Warden’s Watch, we’re introducing a new sponsor to the show - Iron Skillet Seasonings - and sitting down with the people behind the product. Founder Dennis Dedek and new owner Cody Baciuska join us to talk about how Iron Skillet got its start, why their seasonings are developed specifically for wild game, and what makes them different from anything else on the shelf. From decades‑old family recipes to practical, real‑world cooking advice, this is a conversation about making wild game taste its best - without overcomplicating it.   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   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

    42 min
  3. 170 The Ray Anderson Case – Washington State

    17 APR

    170 The Ray Anderson Case – Washington State

    What began as a baffling discovery in a Washington State clearcut quickly turned into one of the most significant wildlife cases in the region – mainly because of the sentence that followed. Officers Lanny McOmber and Sergeant Brian Alexander walk us through a long, technical investigation involving multiple poached elk, complex necropsies, geofence warrants, cutting-edge tech and a suspect who just couldn’t stay away.    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: ·        Why officers called it the Ray Anderson case ·        Four elk found dead in a clearcut ·        “There was no question - this was a poaching incident.” ·        Necropsies on multiple elk in field conditions ·        No bullets or brass recovered ·        A fifth elk tied to the incident ·        Early frustration with limited evidence ·        Asking the public for tips ·        Turning to geofence warrants ·        A complex, multi‑step warrant process ·        Waiting months for data returns ·        Separate trespassing issues on timber land ·        Cut gates and trail cameras ·        A familiar vehicle keeps reappearing ·        The suspect returning near the scene ·        Contact with a convicted felon ·        Firearms located in the vehicle ·        Quietly keeping cases separate ·        Geofence data starts lining up ·        An interview that slowly tightens ·        Initial denials turn into admissions ·        The claim of “guiding” elk by shooting at them ·        Washington’s spree‑killing statute explained ·        Elevating wildlife violations to felonies ·        How prior case law came full circle ·        The gut punch of sentencing day ·        A delayed - but meaningful - outcome ·        Mentorship and career‑defining cases ·        “You create your own luck in this job.”   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

    1hr 5min
  4. 169 – PAGC Tracking Team

    3 APR

    169 – PAGC Tracking Team

    In this episode of Warden’s Watch, we sit down with members of the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Tracking Team - a rare, highly trained group of game wardens who specialize in man tracking. From grassroots beginnings and intense training standards to real‑world deployments where everything clicks, this conversation explores what it truly means to be experts in the woods. Along the way, the guys share powerful success stories, gear talk, and a reminder that camaraderie might just be the most important tool they carry.   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 Operation Game Thief New Hampshire Operation Game Thief North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association International Wildlife Crimestoppers   Here’s what we discuss: ·       How Pennsylvania’s Tracking Team grew from a small grassroots idea ·       Wardens investing in their own training before the team officially existed ·       The missing person search that proved the team’s value ·       What it really means to be “the police in the woods” ·       Why earning a tab can take two to five years ·       The training required to stay on the team, from tracking to firearms to med skills ·       Why trackers focus on disturbance, not perfect boot prints ·       “If it was just footprints in the sand, we wouldn’t need a tracking team.” ·       Learning the natural patterns of the woods - and noticing what breaks them ·       How time, distance, and decision‑making shape every search ·       A call‑out that led to a young boy being found and returned home ·       A fugitive pursuit that unfolded just like a training scenario ·       “Everything clicked - it felt like Christmas morning.” ·       How tracking teams and K9 units support each other in the field ·       Knowing the limits of scent work and when human tracking matters most ·       The gear they carry and why preparation is everything ·       A quick snack can be a small thing that makes a big difference ·       How mapping and coordination happen before teams ever hit the woods ·       The close‑knit camaraderie that defines the team ·       What it means to wear the tab and lead by example ·       The “shirt off your back” tradition ·       Why so many wardens want to join the team - and why standards stay high ·       How teams like this help agencies stay trusted, capable, and relevant   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

    39 min
  5. 168 Talking Turkey - With Patrick Gibbs & Ben Martin

    20 MAR

    168 Talking Turkey - With Patrick Gibbs & Ben Martin

    Spring might still be a snow-covered dream up north, but down in Georgia the dogwoods are thinking about blooming – and that means the turkeys are waking up. This week, Georgia Game Warden Patrick Gibbs and Ben Martin of HuntRegs join Wayne for a closer look into the southern turkey season, the surprising quirks of Georgia’s big‑game rules, and why the HuntRegs app is becoming one of the most powerful tools in the field. From license mistakes to a Thanksgiving turkey story involving a dog with questionable morals, this one’s packed with practical advice and classic game warden comedy.   Our Sponsors: Thin Green Line Podcast Don Noyes Chevrolet North American Game Warden Museum HuntRegs WiseEye SecureIt Gun Storage XS Sights “A Cowboy in the Woods” Book Maine Operation Game Thief New Hampshire Operation Game Thief North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association International Wildlife Crimestoppers   Here’s what we discuss: ·        Spring turkey talk and the north–south difference in season timing ·        Patrick’s 13 years as a Georgia game warden ·        Working the Georgia coast: shrimping, crabbing, oysters, and commercial fisheries ·        Moving inland and “traditional” game‑warden work ·        HuntRegs’ goal of improving public understanding of what wardens actually do ·        “There’s not enough game wardens” - why follow‑up matters ·        What wardens look for on a turkey hunter check ·        Licensing requirements for turkey ·        Bag limit changes: two per season, one per day ·        “Leave one to keep the population going” ·        Printed harvest records vs app check‑ins ·        You can game‑check without service and upload later ·        Requirements: record before moving the bird, game‑check within 24 hours ·        Turkeys as the most‑poached species and why tagging matters ·        Patrick’s approach with inexperienced hunters and juveniles ·        Why turkey hunters tend to be more seasoned ·        Public‑land turkeys: “No inexperienced hunter is killing a Georgia public bird” ·        Florida, early spring weather, and turkey chatter starting up ·        “When the dogwoods bloom, the turkeys gobble” ·        Common mistakes: assuming WMAs follow statewide turkey dates ·        Miss the quota? “You’re definitely getting a ticket.” ·        HuntRegs app: geolocation, pin drops, license requirements, special rules ·        Archery‑only zones, no‑camping rules, and property‑specific notes ·        Game wardens using the app themselves before checks ·        Printed regs and rules: “They call it the digest… not very digestible!” ·        Growth of HuntRegs and its state‑by‑state customization ·        A turkey tossed out a car window, then snatched and hidden by a dog ·        “Did you charge the dog - aiding and assisting?” ·        No fall turkey season in Georgia; hens always protected ·        HuntRegs‑generated cases: night hunting, baited duck ponds, hunting without permission ·        Duck pond baited with molasses and corn, caught on Thanksgiving morning ·        Why community tips matter ·        Focus on catching blatant violations: night hunting, baiting, hunting under the influence ·        Anonymous reporting, optional follow‑ups, and confidentiality ·        Georgia’s monetary rewards for tips leading to convictions ·        Improving the system based on warden feedback ·        “Already a good day when you learn something new.”   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

    39 min
  6. 167 Amanda McKune – Illinois

    6 MAR

    167 Amanda McKune – Illinois

    It’s Women’s History Month, and there’s no better time to highlight CPO Amanda McKune - Illinois officer, new mom, and the 2025 NWTF Officer of the Year. Amanda shares the behind‑the‑scenes reality of the job: the long hours, the high‑stakes turkey and deer cases, the instincts that guide her, and the determination that has already defined her first six years in the field. Humble and relentless, she’s exactly the kind of story this month is made to celebrate.   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 Operation Game Thief New Hampshire Operation Game Thief North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association International Wildlife Crimestoppers   Here’s what we discuss: ·   Stepping onto the NWTF stage and realizing the scale: “I had no idea going into that… wow.” ·  Working turkey and deer hunters in southern Illinois - being “in the right place at the right time.” ·  The habitual turkey poacher and the tip that set everything in motion. ·  Working 3 AM mornings through April until she finally caught him. ·  Charging him with 8 birds she could prove, knowing the real count was far higher. ·  Spending another April up before dawn to catch him again during suspension. ·  The rush when officers from another district caught him a third time. ·  Why turkey cases are so tough: long hours, staying still, waiting. ·  “Sometimes it doesn’t add up… but 90% of the time it leads to something.” ·  The strain of April on her young family - “They put up with me the whole month of April.” ·  A wild deer case: a shot at dark, a suspect in Long Johns, and three huge bags of illegal deer corn. ·  Interviews stretching for hours as he claimed he was “just looking.” ·  Finding his gun buried in a creekbed, wrapped in his unworn camo: “We were all amped up… we got him.” ·  Growing up fishing, discovering her interviewing superpower — “People just like to talk to me.” ·  The importance of catching a single word out of place. ·  Illinois’ massive deer - with 26‑pointers becoming normal in some counties. ·  Ongoing cases involving 30+ illegally killed deer. ·  Starting her career in the same county she grew up in. ·  Knowing the land, families, and history. ·  Tips and informants as the backbone of most big cases. ·  Balancing motherhood, a state‑trooper husband, and long hours: “I’m taking advantage now and trying to catch these guys while I can.” ·  The rise of night road hunting and non‑residents chasing big Midwest deer. ·  October–December feeling like another April. ·  A new era of poaching — thermal optics and crossbows with thermals. ·  Working across the Missouri border and the challenges of multi‑state cases. ·  District teamwork: “It takes all of us to make these big cases.” ·  The impact of heavy illegal take on local populations — especially in concentrated areas. 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

    41 min
  7. 166 Badges on the Bayou

    26 FEB

    166 Badges on the Bayou

    On this episode of Warden’s Watch, we head deep into Louisiana with Captain Will Roberts and Sergeant Terry Hicks — two wildlife agents who bring the state’s culture, cases, and Cajun humor to life. From crawfish wars and cooking secrets to big-game patrols, wild night‑hunting busts, and the state’s legendary boat poker runs, Will and Terry share stories that reveal a Louisiana most of us have only imagined. It’s part culture lesson, part law‑enforcement adventure, and entirely Louisiana. 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 Operation Game Thief New Hampshire Operation Game Thief North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association International Wildlife Crimestoppers   Here’s what we discuss: ·        Cajun cooking traditions, heavy seasoning, and why the roux matters. ·        “You season everything two or three times.” ·        Crawfish culture, regional boil methods, and the friendly “crawfish wars.” ·        How Louisiana farms, regulates, and harvests crawfish — and how dry weather affects production. ·        Wildlife across the state: deer, turkey, black bears, and tightly regulated alligator seasons. ·        Long deer seasons, electronic tagging, and how multiple hunting seasons overlap. ·        Busy waterways, boating safety, and enforcing alcohol laws on the water. ·        “A DWI on the water is the same as on the highway.” ·        The Tickfaw 200 poker run, big boats, long routes, and how safety has evolved. ·        Career paths, teamwork, and how Operation Game Thief works behind the scenes. ·        Memorable trespass, baiting, and night‑hunting cases, including turkey hunters caught sitting on cracked corn. ·        Decoy operations and the mix of funny, tense, and unpredictable encounters. ·        Working small communities where they often know the people they catch. ·        Strong landowner relationships and why most hunters follow the rules. ·        Cajun identity, accents, and local names like sac‑a‑lait and pull‑dues. ·        What keeps them in the job — the adventure, the outdoors, and the humor. ·        “I’m surprised they pay us for a lot of the stuff we do.”   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

    52 min
  8. 165 Shawn Elmore – Georgia DNR

    13 FEB

    165 Shawn Elmore – Georgia DNR

    After more than 30 years with Georgia DNR, Sgt. Shawn Elmore joins Warden’s Watch for a long‑awaited conversation filled with humor, hard lessons, and unforgettable cases. From hunting alongside his dad as a child to becoming one of Georgia’s leading boating‑incident investigators, Shawn shares a mix of heartfelt family stories, outrageous poaching cases, and high‑stakes investigations that helped change state law. Join us for a candid, funny, and deeply human look at life behind the badge.   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 Operation Game Thief New Hampshire Operation Game Thief North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association International Wildlife Crimestoppers   Here’s what we discuss: ·        Finally recording after four years of trying ·        Shawn’s 30+ year career with Georgia DNR ·        Growing up hunting with his dad ·        “That’s what I’m gonna do for a living.” ·        His son becoming interested in law enforcement ·        Catching multiple in‑laws over the years ·        “It takes you a long time to build your credibility… and a snap of a finger to lose it.” ·        People claiming to “know” wardens to get out of trouble ·        Losing friends after catching them or their kids ·        Multi‑year landfill hunter case with warnings, tickets, then arrest ·        A later case involving another family connection ·        Hunting traditions, beagles, rabbits, and swamp rabbits ·        Southern sayings and the “Lost in Translation” team ·        The convicted felon firearm case: “Let me guess - the bullet fairy put this in your pocket.” ·        Reading body language as a critical warden skill ·        “Our mouths can get us into trouble, and they can keep us out of trouble.” ·        The 501‑charge poaching investigation ·        Conspiracy, false statements, and multi‑year suspensions ·        Charging only what can be won in court ·        Identifying violators based on decades of local knowledge ·        His role with Georgia’s boating reconstruction team ·        Early fatal boating cases and long‑lasting emotional impact ·        High‑profile boating incident involving police officers ·        The Jake and Griffin Prince case and Georgia’s BUI law change ·        Challenges unique to boating investigations: sinking, drifting, disappearing evidence ·        Teaching reconstruction and impaired‑operation detection nationwide ·        The Georgia Outdoor News “Hall of Shame” bait case   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

    1hr 9min
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About

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 wardens Wayne Saunders and John Nores.

Information

  • Creator
    Wayne Saunders / John Nores
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    245
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022 Warden's Watch
  • Show Website
    Warden's Watch

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