Episode Description
After more than 30 years with Georgia DNR, Sgt. Shawn Elmore joins Warden’s Watch for a long‑awaited conversation filled with humor, hard lessons, and unforgettable cases. From hunting alongside his dad as a child to becoming one of Georgia’s leading boating‑incident investigators, Shawn shares a mix of heartfelt family stories, outrageous poaching cases, and high‑stakes investigations that helped change state law. Join us for a candid, funny, and deeply human look at life behind the badge.
Our Sponsors:
North American Game Warden Museum
New Hampshire Operation Game Thief
North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association
International Wildlife Crimestoppers
Here’s what we discuss:
· Finally recording after four years of trying
· Shawn’s 30+ year career with Georgia DNR
· Growing up hunting with his dad
· “That’s what I’m gonna do for a living.”
· His son becoming interested in law enforcement
· Catching multiple in‑laws over the years
· “It takes you a long time to build your credibility… and a snap of a finger to lose it.”
· People claiming to “know” wardens to get out of trouble
· Losing friends after catching them or their kids
· Multi‑year landfill hunter case with warnings, tickets, then arrest
· A later case involving another family connection
· Hunting traditions, beagles, rabbits, and swamp rabbits
· Southern sayings and the “Lost in Translation” team
· The convicted felon firearm case: “Let me guess - the bullet fairy put this in your pocket.”
· Reading body language as a critical warden skill
· “Our mouths can get us into trouble, and they can keep us out of trouble.”
· The 501‑charge poaching investigation
· Conspiracy, false statements, and multi‑year suspensions
· Charging only what can be won in court
· Identifying violators based on decades of local knowledge
· His role with Georgia’s boating reconstruction team
· Early fatal boating cases and long‑lasting emotional impact
· High‑profile boating incident involving police officers
· The Jake and Griffin Prince case and Georgia’s BUI law change
· Challenges unique to boating investigations: sinking, drifting, disappearing evidence
· Teaching reconstruction and impaired‑operation detection nationwide
· The Georgia Outdoor News “Hall of Shame” bait case
Credits
Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores
Producer: Jay Ammann
Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett
Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches
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