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Behind the Badge

Boats on Devil's Lake

On Duty at Devils Lake

On the waters of Devils Lake, the role of a game warden extends far beyond enforcing fishing and hunting regulations. Find out how in this Behind the Badge by game warden Jonathan Peterson.

Turkey vulture flying

It's Not What it Looks Like

The question, "Do my eyes deceive me", gets an answer in this week's Behind the Badge by game warden Zachary Biberdorf.

Northern pike lying on the ice

Sometimes Work Finds You

For many, getting some time away from work is as simple as leaving the office (and turning off that cell phone). But if your office extends beyond four walls, getting away can be a bit more challenging.

Footprints in snow

Trust

In a law enforcement career, the foundation of teamwork, cooperation, and safety is trust, as shown in this Behind the Badge by district game warden Connor Folkers.
 

Drawing of two men arguing

Sibling Spats

Most adult siblings manage to resolve disagreements by talking over their issues. However, some take other routes, as shown in this week's Behind the Badge by game warden Andrew Dahlgren.

Pheasant rooster running in snow

The Interview

Conducting an effective suspect interview can be challenging...or, sometimes, not so much. Read one warden’s story in this week's Behind the Badge by game warden Alan Howard.

Feet of person walking in fall leaves

Becoming a Game Warden

The road to becoming a game warden: How one man turned his love of hunting and fishing into a career.

Three moose near trees

Cases of Mistaken Identity

We all make mistakes and when you make one while hunting, calling a game warden and coming clean is really the best option, as evidenced by this Behind the Badge with game warden Keenan Snyder.

Cartoon deer jumping off an overpass

One Deer, Two Permits

"Waste not, want not" is a motto to live by, but sometimes it can cause a little conflict, as in this Behind the Badge by game warden Jerad Bluem.

Walleye

Pushing the Limit

How many walleye is too many? Find out in this Behind the Badge by warden Riley Gerding.

Buck

Get the Gun!

In early November, a local landowner made a peculiar call. Their account of a buck encounter left us skeptical, prompting further investigation. Find out more in this Behind the Badge by warden Alan Howard.

Meadowlark

The Importance of Species Identification

While obvious to most, a big part of being a good hunter is knowing what the species you're hunting looks like, but there are those who struggle a bit with this aspect of hunting. Read one such story in this Behind the Badge by warden Mike Sedlacek.

Buck running

Over the Hill

Avoiding a collision with a fleeing buck led to an encounter with a hunter whose excitement at the hunt overrode not only his compliance with rules but also common sense. Read this week’s Behind the Badge by warden Alan Howard.

Whitetail

The Circle of Death

We hunt to put food on the table and to experience the satisfaction of spending time outdoors in pursuit of wild game. But hunting also entails responsibility. Ignoring those responsibilities can give us all a bad reputation. Read more in this week’s Behind the Badge by warden Daniel Hoenke.

Goose decoy in field

Misunderstood Regulations

Taking the time to understand hunting regulations before you go into the field can not only keep you in compliance with the law, it can help you avoid missed opportunities as game warden Erik Schmidt shows in this week’s Behind the Badge.

Wetlands in fall

Boat and Water Safety - It’s not just for the warm weather months

History tells us that the fall is the deadliest time of year for boating fatalities. Learn more in this week's Behind the Badge by enforcement operations supervisor Jackie Lundstrom.

The Most Important Part of the Hunt

The Most Important Part of the Hunt

What is the most important part of any hunt? Planning probably isn't the first thing many think of to answer that question, but perhaps it should be as is evidenced in this Behind the Badge by warden Zane Manhart.

Cartoon escapee running through cornfield

The Escapee

What does it take to catch an escaped prisoner? Combines and tree stands probably aren’t the first things to come to mind, but sometimes they’re just what’s needed. Learn more in this week’s Behind the Badge by Warden Andrew Dahlgren.

Shoes with arrows on the ground below them pointing different directions

Filling Multiple Shoes

Building a foundation for working as a game warden can be a multifaceted, engaging endeavor as warden Clayton Edstrom shows in this week’s Behind the Badge.

Person fishing from boat in fog with PFD overlay

Choosing a Personal Flotation Device

One of the most important considerations when choosing a PFD is, will you wear it. Modern inflatable PFDs can be a comfortable option, but are they right for you? Learn more in this week’s Behind the Badge by Warden Erik Schmidt.

Jamestown PD logo (left), NDGF logo (right), prairie background

It’s Not Always Hooks and Bullets

Most associate game warden duties with hunters and anglers … such as checking them for valid licenses, abiding by daily and possession limits, and so on and so forth.

But there is so much more that goes into the life of a game warden. The following, a letter of recognition for warden Greg Hastings, is just one example of what a game warden does to help ensure the safety of all citizens.   

Kid fishing

Where the Goal is Secondary to the Journey

Sometimes, when we have a goal in mind, we focus so narrowly on reaching that goal that we miss the many small wonders found along the way. And sometimes it takes a fresh perspective to get us back on track.

Signpost

Unpredictable Days

Truck and trailer in water

Expect the Unexpected

Lending a hand when needed is a part of most people’s jobs, but for game wardens that effort can be a wee bit more exciting than it is for most of us. Read one such story in this Behind the Badge by Warden Greg Hastings.

Drawing of kids fishing from a boat

Kindness

When the smallest act of kindness can make your week – A story from Warden Kylor Johnston

Fawns in Cage

My Wife Wants to Punch You!

Sometimes people, with the best intentions, can cause a great deal of harm when they think they’re helping. Read one such story in this Behind the Badge by Warden Daniel Hoenke.

Drawing of a raccoon (left) and badger (right)

How do you know?

Many city homeowners have little experience with wildlife, so when a call comes in about a worrisome critter in the yard, it is best to proceed with a little skepticism, as this Behind the Badge by Warden Courtney Sprenger shows.

Drawing of deer and tree at night

A Deer Season of Firsts

For hunters, sometimes the greatest rewards are found not in the hunt itself, but rather in passing on their skills and love of hunting to a new generation. Read one story in this Behind the Badge by Warden Erik Schmidt.