Behind the Badge

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. 

Sometimes the experience of mentoring a new hunter can rival the experience of hunting itself and create cherished memories, as Warden Tim Phalen illustrates in this Stories from the Old-Timer.

Game and Fish officials are looking for information in connection to a deer poaching case at the Cass County wildlife club gun range near Casselton. One young button buck was shot and left on the gun range west of Casselton. The deer was most likely shot in the evening of October 15 or early morning of October 16, 2021.  

For many, each day on the job is fairly routine and predictable. Not so for game wardens, as Warden Keenan Snyder shows in this post, “A Day in the Life of…”

Game and Fish officials are looking for information in connection to a moose poaching case near Tolley. A cow moose was shot and left in a field likely between 10 p.m. on October 1, 2021 and 7 a.m. on October 2, 2021.

District Game Warden Jerad Bluem began his career with the Department in 2009. Now he is helping train the next generation of wardens.