Behind the Badge

While enforcement is a large part of a game warden's job, sometimes it is the side duties that have the most impact. Learn more in this Behind the Badge by Game Warden Zane Manhart.

In this Behind the Badge, Warden Kenneth Skuza offers some simple tips to smooth your summer boating experience.

The link between actions and probable consequences sometimes escapes us when we’re young as was the case with the young gentlemen in this Behind the Badge by Warden Shawn Sperling.

Paddlefish season in North Dakota generally lasts just 2-3 weeks each spring and is never boring for game wardens. Read some of their stories in this post by Warden Keenan Snyder.

Game wardens Jerad Bluem and Jeff Sieger have been awarded the North Dakota Peace Officers Association Lifesaving Award for their role in saving the life of a boater. 

Technology, as is so often the case, is a double-edged sword both for those who hunt and fish and for those tasked with enforcing hunting and fishing laws, as is evidenced by this post by Game Warden Erik Schmidt.

Sometimes it is the little things you remember most as demonstrated in this post by Game Warden Michael Sedlacek.
 

The McLean County States Attorney’s office has charged Gordon Boutilier, Hazen, with exploitation of wildlife, a class C felony. Boutilier is accused of repeatedly hunting and fishing when his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges were under suspension.

Getting hired is just the first step in becoming a game warden. Learn more about the extensive training new wardens receive in this post by Game Warden Blake Riewer.

Testing Announcement – The Department will be holding a test for a District Game Warden position on May 24, 2022 in Bismarck, ND.

There are 32 field game wardens in North Dakota to cover the state’s approximately 70,700 square miles. Get a feel for what the job is like in this post by Game Warden Peter Miley.

With each of North Dakota’s seasons comes a shift in focus for the state’s game wardens. Follow one warden, Joseph Lucas, through the seasons in this Behind the Badge.

In this post, ride along with District Game Warden Connor Folkers as he navigates a day in the life of a game warden.

A sense of humor is virtually a job requirement for game wardens. Learn why in this Behind the Badge.

Oftentimes in the field things don't go according to plan which can sometimes make a day on the job as a game warden...well...a wee bit problematic.

Between the hours of 5:00 p.m. on February 24 and 8:00 a.m. on February 25, 2022, a cow moose was shot and left to rot on the side of the road approximately 1 mile south of Hanks, ND in Williams County.

The path to becoming a Game Warden can take many twists and turns. Read one warden's story in this week's Behind the Badge.

At times honesty can seem like a rare and undervalued resource. But honesty still means something and can make a big difference in difficult situations as Game Warden Peter Miley relates in this Behind the Badge post.

How many hunters does it take to harvest a duck? More than you might think...

Sometimes in a battle between rutting bucks neither wins. Sometimes both are lucky to survive. Read one pair's story from District Game Warden Alan Howard.

For some anglers, the legal maximum limit of poles just seems too limiting, and they're willing to go the extra mile to try and hide that illegal additional pole or 2...or 3...or 11...
 

Devils Lake can offer some amazing fall fishing making it easy for anglers to catch their limit of fish…and then some. Read more in this Behind The Badge post from Game Warden Drew Johnson.

Game wardens do a lot for our communities including stepping outside of their core duties and assisting with efforts to provide our kids with positive experiences. Learn more in this post by Game Warden Jerad Bluem.

When dealing with people who have committed a hunting violation, wardens are often treated to lies and evasion, so much so that encountering honesty and integrity can come as a bit of a shock.

Sometimes the call from dispatch ends up being about a serious incident, sometimes...not so much...

Ice fishing is a much loved and time honored sport here in North Dakota, but it has its treacherous side as Warden Ken Skuza can attest. 

While boating started out as a hobby for District Game Warden Shawn Sperling, it led him to his profession.