062 Todd Vandivert - Washington Part I

Warden's Watch

Todd Vandivert was a game warden for 34 years with the Washington Department of Natural Resources, and now writes books about his experiences. He worked both as a uniformed officer and an undercover officer, making multiple cases in each position. Todd’s work as an author is well-known, especially his book Operation Cody in which he breaks down his role in the operation. In this episode, Todd discusses his upbringing, work as a warden, and life as an author.

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Here's What We Discuss:

• 34 years as a game warden
• Born in California
• Love of the outdoors while raised in Virginia
• Plan was to go into the Navy; failed color vision test
• Flying career came to an end, went into oceanography
• Rethought decisions and went into forestry
• Started working in a habitat area
• Cameras everywhere
• First posing
• Work as an undercover
• The issues with informants
• The case: hound hunting with lions
• The “Kill ‘Em All Boys”
• Conference
• More exposure = more hazardous
• Each state has different laws
• Built a fake business: website, posters, business cards, etc
• Best of the wild
• Lawful stuff close to unlawful
• Poacher within two days
• Misrepresenting product is still illegal
• Taking DNA
• Rotted mountain lion and a paycheck
• Dried dates as a decoy to Hong Kong
• Growing operations and money laundering
• Interior decorator setup
• Entrapment debate

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Social Media/Marketing: Morgan Day

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