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Warden's Watch

Warden's Watch

Written by: Wayne Saunders / John Nores
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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.2022 Warden's Watch Biological Sciences Science True Crime
Episodes
  • TGL046 CORY GAUTEREAUX

    TGL046 CORY GAUTEREAUX
    Oct 8 2026
    What happens when a national-security crisis reaches your own backyard—and you refuse to look away? In this Thin Green Line episode of Warden’s Watch, John Nores and Wayne Saunders welcome Cory Gautereaux, founder of The GOAT Initiative, for a firsthand look at border security, intelligence gathering, human trafficking and environmental crime along the California–Mexico border. Cory is a San Diego County native, U.S. Army veteran, Christian, husband, father of two daughters and small-business owner. He grew up exploring the same East County trails where he now conducts field operations. Before founding The GOAT Initiative, Cory served as a UH-60 Black Hawk crew chief and door gunner. He later worked as a respiratory therapist on rapid-response and trauma teams. When the border surge reached his rural community, Cory began finding discarded passports, children’s identification documents, abandoned cellphones and evidence of cartel activity. He also encountered individuals identified as Special Interest Aliens. Recognizing that valuable intelligence was being left behind, Cory created The GOAT Initiative to document it and deliver actionable information to local, state and federal law-enforcement agencies. The GOAT Initiative now operates a 24/7 intelligence effort focused on trafficking networks, smuggling routes and potential homeland-security threats. Cory has testified before Congress and briefed senior officials in Washington on border security, human trafficking and related national-security concerns. The conversation also examines illegal cannabis operations and their effects on California’s water, wildlife and wildlands. Cory describes suspected water theft, destroyed vegetation, hazardous chemicals and troubling conditions reportedly found where workers were living. John draws upon his decades investigating cartel-operated grow sites to explain how these crimes affect ecosystems, rural communities and already-limited enforcement resources. In this episode: • How The GOAT Initiative began• Cory’s work along the California–Mexico border• Discarded passports, children’s IDs and recovered cellphones• Special Interest Aliens and potential homeland-security threats• Using trail cameras and community knowledge to gather intelligence• Human trafficking and organized smuggling networks• Communication gaps among local, state and federal agencies• Illegal cannabis operations and suspected water theft• Damage to wildlife, waterways and wildlands• Labor-exploitation concerns at illegal grow sites• Challenges facing Border Patrol agents and military personnel• How veterans, ranchers and rural residents could become force multipliers• Getting actionable intelligence into the hands of people who can act Learn more or support the mission: The GOAT Initiativehttps://thegoatinitiative.org Follow Cory and TGI: X and Instagram: @thecorygoatX and Instagram: @thegoatinitiative This episode contains firsthand accounts, personal opinions and discussion of suspected or ongoing criminal activity. Some allegations and circumstances discussed have not been independently adjudicated. Listen, share and help bring attention to the connection between border security, human trafficking, environmental crime, wildlife protection and public safety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • 179 Saving Oka – With NH Turtle Rescue

    179 Saving Oka – With NH Turtle Rescue
    Sep 28 2026
    179 Saving Oka – With NH Turtle Rescue In this episode of Warden’s Watch, Wayne follows up on the disturbing New Hampshire turtle cruelty case by sitting down with Dallas Huggins and Drew Stevens of the New Hampshire Turtle Rescue. They share Oka the turtle’s recovery story, explain the challenges facing native turtle populations, and highlight the conservation work needed to protect these remarkable animals for generations to come. 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 Wayne wanted to learn more about turtle rescue after covering the turtle cruelty case  Wayne’s story about rescuing an injured crow nicknamed “Survivor”  Meeting Dallas Huggins and Drew Stevens from New Hampshire Turtle Rescue  How Oka the turtle got her name  The rescue’s annual naming themes for turtles  Reports of turtle crossing signs being vandalized in Hillsboro  Growing concerns about an unusually high number of dead turtles on one road  Neighbors documenting suspicious activity around turtle crossing areas  The night Oka was discovered  Volunteer transporters helped get Oka to the rescue  The extent of Oka’s shell injuries  Emergency treatment, pain management, and stabilization efforts  “What pain has a turtle ever done to anybody?”  Conservation Officer Zach Abrahamson’s investigation  The use of a turtle decoy during the investigation  Charges laid against the offender  Discussion about penalties and wildlife cruelty laws  Public reaction to the case  Gaps in legal protections for some turtle species  Efforts to strengthen New Hampshire’s turtle protection regulations  The dangers of people taking wild turtles home as pets  Challenges caused by improper care and disease transmission  The impact of illegal turtle collection and the pet trade  How Oka’s shell repair differed from typical vehicle-strike injuries  Concerns about possible spinal damage and paralysis  The painstaking process of cleaning and rebuilding a damaged shell  Discovering that Oka was still carrying an egg after the attack  Recovery updates and Oka’s progress  “She’s acting like a normal turtle.”  Why the rescue believes the case should serve as a catalyst for change  The origins of New Hampshire Turtle Rescue  Learning wildlife rehabilitation through raptor and general wildlife care  Taking over turtle rehabilitation work from a retiring mentor  Expectations of a few turtle cases turning into hundreds  Growing demand for turtle-specific wildlife rehabilitation  Why roads are the biggest threat facing many turtle populations  The importance of habitat conservation  How long-lived turtle species struggle to recover from population losses  The role of wetlands, vernal pools, and connected habitats  Wildlife-friendly culverts and safe road crossings  Efforts to improve crossings for Blanding’s turtles and other species  Why rehabilitation is only a temporary solution without habitat protection  Moving turtles safely across roads  Seasonal turtle movements beyond nesting season  Fall migrations to overwintering sites  The remarkable site fidelity of native turtles  “The best way to help turtles is land conservation.”  How listeners can support New Hampshire Turtle Rescue  Resources available for people who find injured turtles  The rescue’s mission to help an ever-growing number of turtles 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
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    59 mins
  • 178 The Turtle Trap – With Zach Abrahamsson

    178 The Turtle Trap – With Zach Abrahamsson
    Sep 14 2026
    178 The Turtle Trap – With Zach Abrahamsson A quiet back road, a string of dead turtles, and a community determined to protect local wildlife. Conservation Officer Zach Abrahamsson joins Warden's Watch to tell the incredible story behind "The Turtle Trap," an investigation that used a toy turtle decoy to catch a suspect responsible for a shocking act of wildlife cruelty. From citizen observations to undercover surveillance, this episode highlights the challenges of proving wildlife crimes and the importance of protecting vulnerable species. 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:  Wayne welcomes Zach Abrahamsson from New Hampshire Fish and Game.  The case begins on Bog Road in Hillsboro, New Hampshire.  Residents install turtle crossing signs to protect nesting turtles.  The signs begin disappearing.  Someone leaves a handwritten message demanding the signs be removed.  Witnesses notice a local resident repeatedly driving a side-by-side up and down the road.  Dead turtles begin appearing along a short stretch of roadway.  Concerned citizens carefully track the number of turtles being found.  Fifteen turtles are found dead over a short period.  A nesting turtle catches the attention of nearby residents.  Witnesses watch as a man picks up the turtle, places it in the road, and stomps on it.  The injured turtle survives and is rushed to a licensed rehabilitator.  The turtle is expected to make a full recovery.  Hillsboro Police contact Fish and Game to investigate.  Zach discusses New Hampshire's wildlife cruelty law.  Officers begin planning a proactive operation.  Fellow officer James Benvenuti suggests using a toy turtle as a decoy.  "My son has this toy turtle."  The realistic decoy is placed along the road.  Officers hide nearby and wait.  A passing vehicle unintentionally disrupts part of the operation.  Zach spends several tense moments hiding behind a large boulder.  "My heart was pounding."  The suspect spots the decoy turtle.  He turns around and deliberately drives over it.  The action is captured on video.  The suspect immediately heads home afterward.  Officers explain the difference between circumstantial evidence and proof beyond a reasonable doubt.  Zach breaks down how wildlife cases are built for court.  The chargeable offense centers on the turtle that witnesses observed being stomped.  The decoy operation helps reinforce the investigative findings.  Zach explains the difference between felony and misdemeanor wildlife cruelty charges.  The discussion turns to officer discretion and appropriate punishment.  "The most important thing is getting this guy to stop doing this."  The suspect pleads guilty to the charges.  The case results in fines and a criminal record.  Public reaction to the case is intense.  Balancing accountability with changing behavior.  The importance of reporting suspicious wildlife activity.  Zach explains the conservation impact of losing multiple turtles.  Remarkably, the famous turtle decoy survives the operation with only a cracked shell.  The battle-scarred decoy earns permanent trophy status among the officers. 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
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    50 mins
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