Behind the Badge

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.   

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Making a case is always based on hard work, but often it also requires a little luck. Read one such story by Warden Shawn Sperling.

When venturing into the outdoors, it is wise to keep in mind that nature is an unforgiving force, as one man discovered in this week’s Behind the Badge by Warden Mike Sedlacek.

Being able to pinpoint your own location while in the field can be critically important as evidenced in this post by Warden Sam Feldmann.

Normally, encouraging an uninvited guest to decamp does not require calling your local game warden, but sometimes…

Every career comes with its advantages and drawbacks. Learn about some of the everyday rewards that come with being a Game Warden in this Behind the Badge with Warden Jerad Bluem.

Have you ever observed someone you think might be committing a hunting or fishing violation? What is the best course of action in such a situation? Find out in this week’s Behind the Badge with Warden Corey Erck.

Public outreach. Game Wardens do it every day. But some groups are a tougher audience than others and require a bit more forethought to effectively address as warden Art Cox illustrates in this Behind the Badge.

In this Behind the Badge, Game Warden Paige Swanson takes us on her journey to becoming a game warden.