Warden&#039;s Watch

New Hampshire Operation Game Thief

North East Conservation Law Enforcement Association

Here’s what we discuss:

Growing up in western Pennsylvania and finding his calling
“I had game warden blood in my blood.”
From Montana guide school to the academy
“My only regret is losing those years I could have been doing this full-time.”
Why being a game warden is more than a job
“I live, eat, sleep, breathe this profession… I just want to be a game warden.”
The power of NAWEOA networking and lifelong friendships
“I haven’t had a month go by without a call from another state or province.”
K9 program success stories: Storm and Rio crack tough cases
“In 33 seconds, Storm found the evidence that solved a fatal shooting.”
Challenge coins and the stories behind them
Inspiring the next generation of wardens through conferences and mentorship
Hunting-related shooting incidents and the emotional side of the job
“One is one too many.”
Family, sacrifice, and the brotherhood of game wardens
“A profession sought by many, held by few, and only made possible by those family members that know the true meaning of sacrifice.”

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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162 Polar Bears & Patrols – With Jack Skillings

Posted on December 24, 2025December 24, 2025 by nhfishcop10

From patrolling on sea ice and responding to polar bear calls to managing wildlife in remote communities, Conservation Officer Jack Skillings takes us deep into the Canadian Arctic. Offering a rare glimpse into wildlife enforcement in the far north, Jack shares the rewards and realities of protecting the environment in some of the most isolated places on Earth.

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Here’s what we discuss:

Yukon’s Conservation Officer Services Branch and its role
Nunavut: Canada’s newest territory
Nunavut’s unique conservation structure
“There’s at least one conservation officer in every community.”
Patrolling without roads: snowmobiles, ATVs, boats, and planes
Polar bear management and why it’s handled by territories, not federal agencies
Community policing: “education over enforcement.”
Modern polar bear research using DNA instead of tags
Differences between Nunavut and Yukon: isolation vs. road access and teamwork
“The biggest difference in Yukon? Roads. Having a truck changes everything.”
Wildlife species and hunting traditions: caribou, muskox, seals, moose, sheep, and Arctic char
A polar bear deterrence gone wrong
Life in remote communities
“My favorite thing was just getting out on the land – patrolling, hunting, fishing.”

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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161 Alone in the Wild – with Isaiah Tuck

Posted on December 11, 2025December 11, 2025 by nhfishcop10

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.

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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

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160 Warden-Hunter Interactions

Posted on November 30, 2025November 30, 2025 by nhfishcop10

In this episode of Warden’s Watch, Wayne sits down with Ben Martin, founder of the Hunt Regs app, and Hayden Cook, a Tennessee Wildlife Officer, for a deep dive into warden-hunter interactions, safety in the field, and the story behind one of Tennessee’s most infamous poaching cases – the Maserati Buck. From practical advice for hunters to insights on wildlife law enforcement, this conversation is packed with real-world lessons and strategies to stay compliant in the field.

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Here’s what we discuss:

Ben’s journey as a first-generation hunter and why he created Hunt Regs
“How do I make a game warden comfortable?” – the question every hunter should ask
Hayden Cook on professionalism: “We serve the hunters and fishermen of Tennessee.”
Hunter safety tips during license checks and why nervousness can lead to mistakes
Hunt Regs app: anonymous poaching reports and real-time regulations
The Maserati Buck case: a 229-inch deer poached under a streetlight near a luxury car dealership
“Antlers make people do crazy things.” – Hayden on poaching motives
Honest mistakes vs. intentional violations: why self-reporting matters
Digital licensing pitfalls and why preparation is key
Building trust and positive relationships between hunters and wardens

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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159 Justice for Dave: A Poacher’s Reckoning

Posted on November 11, 2025November 11, 2025 by nhfishcop10

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.

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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 deer3 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

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⁠Thin Green Line Podcast⁠

158 Ricardo Grisolini – New York

Posted on October 31, 2025October 31, 2025 by nhfishcop10

Ricardo Grisolini, a New York State Environmental Conservation Officer with roots in northern Italy, brings a sharp eye and a sharp wit to wildlife law enforcement. From chasing down poachers to setting up decoy deer that even landowners can’t resist, his stories are packed with twists, laughs, and lessons. In this episode, Ricardo shares some of his most unforgettable and entertaining cases from two decades on the job.

Our Sponsors:

⁠Don Noyes Chevrolet⁠

⁠North American Game Warden Museum⁠

⁠Hunt Regs⁠

⁠SecureIt Gun Storage⁠

⁠XS Sights⁠

⁠“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book⁠

⁠Maine’s Operation Game Thief⁠

⁠International Wildlife Crimestoppers⁠

Here’s what we discuss:

· Growing up in Northern Italy’s “laces”

· Raised and hunted birds from an early age

· Slow cooked pulled turkey

· “This job is not a job; it’s a career.”

· Working in Madison County is “a game warden’s dream.”

· The charter captain’s Christmas fish and the Salvation Army police

· Donating confiscated fish and meat

· A VERY convincing decoy setup nets multiple charges

· A substantial illegal baiting operation on private property

· Poacher insists he used a crossbow

· Trail cams tell a different story

· “The point was out of respect for the animal.”

· Social media can be a warden’s best friend

· New York ECOs don’t wear a traditional badge

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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⁠Website⁠

⁠Warden’s Watch / TGL Store⁠

The Killing Krew Klan: Consequences

Posted on October 19, 2025October 19, 2025 by nhfishcop10

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.

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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

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⁠Thin Green Line Podcast⁠

156 The Killing Krew Klan – With Patrick Kiely

Posted on September 27, 2025September 27, 2025 by nhfishcop10

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:

⁠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:

Find More Here:

⁠Website⁠

⁠Warden’s Watch / TGL Store⁠

155 Blake Patterson – North American Game Warden Museum

Posted on September 18, 2025September 18, 2025 by nhfishcop10

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.

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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

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154 North American Game Warden Museum – with Stephanie Lee

Posted on August 30, 2025August 30, 2025 by nhfishcop10

Tucked into a scenic corner of the International Peace Garden, and straddling the border between North Dakota and Manitoba, Canada, the North American Game Warden Museum stands as the world’s only institution fully dedicated to both educating the public and honoring fallen wildlife officers. This one-of-a-kind museum features a memorial garden, exhibits showcasing uniforms and tools of the trade from decades past, along with a library, audio/visual area, and a fascinating collection of items seized by game wardens from across North America. In this episode, we sit down with museum manager Stephanie Lee for an insightful conversation ahead of the museum’s 2025 Fallen Officer Memorial Ceremony.

Our Sponsors:

Hunt Regs

SecureIt Gun Storage

XS Sights