Warden's Watch

In 1962, US President John Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. Established that same year by a joint resolution of Congress, National Police Week pays tribute to law enforcement officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. Please join us for this very special episode as we honor the service an...

Hometown Hero Outdoors is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to facilitating outdoor adventures for actively serving military, military veterans, and licensed law enforcement officers. These adventures include hunting, fishing, backpacking, foraging, camping, snowmobiling, and so much more. Our primary goal is to assist these individuals as they begin healing and building healthy relationship...

As far as names go, no animal has it quite like the fisher. Often called a “fisher cat”, it is not a feline, and doesn’t really care much for fish. One of nature’s few porcupine predators, this feisty, forest-dwelling expert climber is actually a member of the weasel family. Join us for this episode of Warden’s Watch WILD, as we meet once again with wildlife biologist Jill Kilborn to learn more ab...

From the Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, PA, we meet two representatives for Hunt of a Lifetime, a non-profit organization dedicated to fulfilling hunting and fishing dreams for people 21 and under facing life-threatening illnesses or disabilities. Grant Fritz is a lifelong hunter who has been volunteering with the organization for over twenty years. Gabe Kerchner is a cancer survivor w...

Rose Anna Moore grew up in Tioga County, PA, where she hunted and fished the trout streams of the Pine Creek Gorge. Learning outdoor skills and having an interest in sustainable living helped Rose develop an adaptable and agile nature. While most of her childhood was spent moving from one environment to another or from one home to another, Rose has always found a way to make the changes and curveb...

Bob Farrell is a former fish and wildlife enforcement officer with more than 30 years of maritime experience in multiple environments from Alaska to Hawai’i. After a successful career with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife – culminating in serving as Assistant Chief – Bob figured he’d return to his home state of Hawai’i to wind down his career as an active game warden in the field, but...

In this episode of Warden’s Watch WILD, we meet Alexej Sirén, a Maine-based biologist and postdoctoral researcher, and arguably an authority on many large and small mammals in the northeastern US. In this episode, Alexej discusses his work studying the snowshoe hare, including how their range and numbers affect a surprising variety of plants and animals, and the specific challenges climate change...

In this episode, Wayne sits down with New Hampshire Conservation Officer Jonathan Demler. A highly decorated US Army veteran, Demler and his family moved to New Hampshire eight years ago when he joined Fish & Game after a distinguished military career which included three tours in Afghanistan. Listen as Jon describes what led him to a career in the outdoors, how his experience in the armed forces...

Warden’s Watch WILD is back with wildlife biologist Jill Kilborn discussing her work studying the elusive Canada lynx. At about three feet long and anywhere from 15 to 30 pounds, Canada lynx are at least twice the size of the average house cat. Often recognized by their pointed ears and large, furry paws, which help them travel over deep snow and leave a distinctive “ice cream cone” print, Canada...

With more than 86,000 miles of streams and rivers, 4,000 inland lakes and ponds, and 120 miles of coastal waters, there is no shortage of opportunities for a career on the waters of Pennsylvania. In this episode, Director of the PFBC Bureau of Law Enforcement Col. Clyde Warner describes the commonwealth’s recruiting initiative, the many advantages of joining his agency, and much more. Our Sponsors...

Rachel Thurner-Diaz is just the seventh woman to serve as a Pennsylvania Waterways Conservation Officer. Although she grew up fishing, hunting, and boating, she didn’t opt for a career in the outdoors until she’d started down a different path. Today, after seven years, two kids, and being honored as PFBC’s Officer of the year in 2020, Thurner-Diaz knows she’s exactly where she’s meant to be. Our S...

Pennsylvania may have been named for its woodlands, but the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission believes the waters are the real attraction. Tim Schaeffer is the Executive Director of the PFBC, the agency dedicated to protecting, conserving and enhancing the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources, and providing fishing and boating opportunities for everyone. Join us as Tim describes the agency’s mission...

Hayes Taxidermy Studio is an established wildlife taxidermy studio located in Northwest Montana; owned and operated by John Hayes. Hayes has more than 20 years of experience in his profession. All of our taxidermy work is done in his studio in Libby, Montana. Hayes Taxidermy Studio has been John Nores's exclusive wildlife artist since 2005 having captured over 40 of his most rewarding conservation...

Welcome to Warden’s Watch WILD, where we feature short conversations with wildlife professionals from all over North America and beyond. In our first episode, Wayne introduces us to Jillian Kilborn, a Wildlife Biologist for New Hampshire Fish & Game who has researched and tracked the American marten for nearly twenty years.   Our Sponsor:  The Village Gun Store Here’s what we discuss: The inspirat...

Podcasts like ours couldn’t exist without the generous support of sponsors. Warden’s Watch couldn’t be more proud to introduce Josh Dagnese, owner of The Village Gun Store in Whitefield, New Hampshire, and the primary sponsor of our new WILD series. The Village Gun Store has been a northern New Hampshire staple for nearly 50 years, and when Josh – the son of a gun dealer himself - left the Army an...

In our final installment from the PA Game Commission, Wayne sits down with PGC Special Permits Division Chief Chad Eyler. Besides being an administrator for Pennsylvania’s Operation Game Thief program and the architect of one of the most successful wildlife crime reporting lines in the US, he also has the unique perspective of having worked for all three state conservation agencies. In this episod...

Continuing our visit to Pennsylvania, Wayne sits down with State Game Warden Brandon Pfister, a former restaurateur who joined the Game Commission as a Deputy Warden in 2008. In this wide-ranging conversation, Brandon talks about some memorable cases, going viral on TikTok, and even shares some tips for a prize winning pie crust! Our Sponsors:  Thin Green Line Podcast Sovereign Sportsman Solutions...

On the eve of graduation, Wayne sits down at the Pennsylvania Game Commission with Zach Salsgiver, one of 24 members of the latest class of the Ross Leffler School of Conservation in Brockway, PA. Established in 1932, the school - part college, part police academy, and part museum - was the first of its kind in the US. Listen as Zach explains what drew him to a career in wildlife, and shares some...

Born in Zimbabwe, Jay Crafter has both US and British military experience. He has trained K9 teams for various Special Operations Programs, as well as multiple US Law Enforcement Agencies working in a variety of roles. Jay qualified as a Class 1 trainer with the British Army’s Royal Army Veterinary Corps. He has extensive experience training working dogs for conservation efforts in Africa. See the...

In this bonus addition to Episode 76, New Zealand’s Brad Dannefaerd describes hunting in his home country, along with some practices and regulations many of our listeners may find surprising! Our Sponsors:  Thin Green Line Podcast Sovereign Sportsman Solutions “A Cowboy in the Woods” Book Hunt of a Lifetime Maine's Operation Game Thief Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH International Wildlife Crim...

The son of a hunting and fishing store owner, and an avid outdoorsman himself, Brad Dannefaerd worked with New Zealand Fisheries for nearly 20 years before retiring to found his own company. During his long and colorful career, he has worked alongside agencies in Australia, Canada and the United States, and literally written the book on defensive tactics and training for the New Zealand Ministry o...

In this special introduction to Episode 76, Wayne and his good friend Owen chat about the Samoan islands, the traditional haka, and everyday life in beautiful New Zealand. Our Sponsors:  Thin Green Line Podcast Sovereign Sportsman Solutions “A Cowboy in the Woods” Book Hunt of a Lifetime Maine's Operation Game Thief Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH International Wildlife Crimestoppers Here’s wha...

Fans of the Animal Planet television series North Woods Law will recognize Sgt. Heidi Murphy, an 18-year veteran Conservation Officer with New Hampshire Fish & Game, and the state’s first and only female CO. She has been an active member of the Advanced Search and Rescue Team, instructs courses for Fish and Game’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program, and was awarded the Shikar-Safari International...

As a dual-warfare qualified Naval Officer, both SWO and SEAL, Jared spent eight years in the Naval Service. During his Active Duty years, he deployed to CENTCOM four times and is combat decorated, having been awarded the Bronze Star with “V” for Valor, the Combat Action Ribbon, and multiple Joint Awards. A huge component of Jared’s life revolves around giving back to those veterans who have made m...

Lee Ellis knew he wanted to be a South Carolina game warden from the time he was a teenager. His son Hunter considered a few different occupations before realizing his destiny was in his father’s footsteps. Listen as they discuss their respective career paths, the unique benefits and challenges of growing up in a game warden family, and the changes they’ve each seen through the years. They may be...