Warden's Watch

Wayne Saunders / John Nores
  • 4.9 (392)
  • Wilderness
  • Updated Semimonthly

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. 173 Etienne Daigle – Quebec, Canada

    1d ago

    173 Etienne Daigle – Quebec, Canada

    173 Etienne Daigle – Quebec, Canada If you’ve ever wondered what game wardens deal with north of the border, this one delivers. From bear decoy busts to baby crocodiles in a bunker, “Agent de la faune” Etienne Daigle gives us a front row seat to wildlife enforcement in Quebec, Canada - and it’s anything but predictable. 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:  Starting the job at just 20 years old after switching from police academy to game warden training  “It’s two totally different jobs” - policing the woods vs the streets  Quebec wardens enforce fish, game, and trapping laws, not full police powers  Arresting suspects as a citizen in uniform before turning them over to police  First posting in Lac Saint-Jean - a remote territory with massive patrol areas  “People just don’t like bears” due to concerns about moose calves  His very first case - a bear decoy operation during closed season  Lying in a ditch as a hunter returns with his family  Waiting for a second shot to confirm intent  A plane flying overhead causes the hunter to panic  Moving the decoy’s head to trigger a reaction  “Dad, the bear is moving” leads to a second shot  Officers step in after clear evidence is established  “He truly thought it was a real bear.”  Covering areas with 10,000 plus lakes and hours-long patrol drives  Fishing opportunities - walleye, pike, and lake trout everywhere  Moose hunting rules - multiple hunters and shared tags required  “About a $2,500 fine” for illegal harvest  “The most dangerous animal is a moose with a calf.”  Transfer to a mining region brings more drug-related cases  “We are there for wildlife, but we deal with human problems too.”  Case involving a drug dealer with two baby crocodiles  Illegal possession of exotic animals without proper permits  Joint operation with provincial police  Planning entry into a single-access basement  Unexpected twist - the suspect’s father answers the door  Securing the scene and removing the animals safely  “Drugs and reptiles seem to go together.”  Roughly 300 officers covering all of Quebec  Balancing wildlife enforcement with real-world danger 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

    1 hr
  2. W09 New England Naturals - With Jake DeBow

    May 28

    W09 New England Naturals - With Jake DeBow

    W09 New England Naturals - With Jake DeBow Jake DeBow didn’t just grow up around trapping; he grew into it, built a life around it, and somehow turned frozen beaver ponds, late nights, and a sewing machine into a thriving business. In this episode, Wayne sits down in Jake’s trapping shed to talk about New England Naturals, the art of fur, and why more people are starting to care about where their food and even their clothing comes from. Spoiler: beaver might be the best red meat you’ve never tried. 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:  Kicking off the return of Warden’s Watch Wild: “I’ve got some wild stuff going on.”  Meeting Jake DeBow, three years in the making to get him on the show  Growing up with a father who was a nuisance wildlife trapper  “It was always raccoons and skunks coming home in cage traps.”  Sports first, trapping later, rediscovering it in college and grad school  Getting into beaver trapping because “beaver meat is delicious.”  Starting a trapline together as a couple, relationship goals outdoors style  “She was never squeamish… just fascinated.”  Using everything from a beaver: meat, fur, skulls, and glands  The “rabbit holes” of natural products and curiosity  The quiet, frozen beauty of winter trapping  “There’s something really special about being out there.”  Why trapping is harder to get into than hunting  Appeal for young adults after college looking for purpose and connection  Accessibility of beaver vs deer, “there’s a beaver in just about every ditch.”  Feeding 50% of their red meat intake from beaver  “I’ve never had someone try it and not love it.”  Beaver as the “beef of the river,” rich, mild, versatile  Supplying beaver for a wild game dinner, big reactions from the crowd  Getting 9 to 12 meals plus weeks of dog food from one animal  The origins of New England Naturals and frustration with low fur prices  “We got $12 a beaver… it didn’t feel right.”  Early side hustle, Etsy shop, tinctures, moose antler dog chews  Pandemic pivot and turning $2,000 and fiddleheads into a sewing machine  Teaching themselves fur sewing from scratch  Starting with beaver fur koozies and laughing about early attempts  The TikTok turning point, one video and everything sold out  “We couldn’t keep up… we were sewing until 2AM!”  Hiring their first employee and outgrowing the basement  Moving into a real workspace and rapid growth over two years  Using social media for education, not just selling  Breaking misconceptions about trapping and outdated stereotypes  “Trappers were quiet for 30 years… that time is gone.”  The importance of public understanding and support  Why people are reconnecting with their food  “There’s something special about being responsible for what’s on your plate.”  That same mindset applied to clothing and materials  Fur as durable, warm, and biodegradable  Plastic clothing “is going to be your grandkids’ problem.”  Product focus on practical, hard-use gear  Core products: muffs, mittens, bomber hats, and hand warmers  “We want fur in people’s hands that actually gets used.”  Beaver fur hand warmers - simple, reusable, effective  Cat toys made from real fur: “cats go nuts for them.”  Future ideas: blankets, vests, and more product expansion  Balancing growth, time, and staying true to their mission  Shop New England Naturals  Follow the fun on TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram 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

    1h 2m
  3. 172 For the Fallen: First Sgt. Karl Kelley - Indiana DNR

    May 13

    172 For the Fallen: First Sgt. Karl Kelley - Indiana DNR

    In this National Police Week memorial episode, Wayne sits down with two men who lived through an unimaginable moment when a training exercise turned into a fight for survival. Retired Indiana DNR Lieutenant Colonel Terry Hyndman and First Sgt. Tom Jahn revisit the day they lost their friend and teammate, First Sgt. Karl Kelley, in a swift water incident that still shapes them decades later. It’s a difficult listen at times - but an important one - and a reminder of what service and brotherhood truly mean. “It is not how these officers died that made them heroes; it is how they lived.” ~ National Law Enforcement Memorial, Washington, DC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    43 min
  4. 171 Kevin & Kathy Behr - Survivors With Purpose

    May 7

    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
  5. Field to Fork - Wild Game Cooking with Iron Skillet

    Apr 23 ·  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
  6. 170 The Ray Anderson Case – Washington State

    Apr 17

    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

    1h 5m
  7. 169 – PAGC Tracking Team

    Apr 3

    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
  8. 168 Talking Turkey - With Patrick Gibbs & Ben Martin

    Mar 20

    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
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4.9
out of 5
392 Ratings

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
    248
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022 Warden's Watch
  • Show Website
    Warden's Watch

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