In this episode of Warden’s Watch, Wayne sits down with Ben Martin, founder of the Hunt Regs app, and Hayden Cook, a Tennessee Wildlife Officer, for a deep dive into warden-hunter interactions, safety in the field, and the story behind one of Tennessee’s most infamous poaching cases - the Maserati Buck. From practical advice for hunters to insights on wildlife law enforcement, this conversation is packed with real-world lessons and strategies to stay compliant in the field.
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Here’s what we discuss:
· Ben’s journey as a first-generation hunter and why he created Hunt Regs
· “How do I make a game warden comfortable?” - the question every hunter should ask
· Hayden Cook on professionalism: “We serve the hunters and fishermen of Tennessee.”
· Hunter safety tips during license checks and why nervousness can lead to mistakes
· Hunt Regs app: anonymous poaching reports and real-time regulations
· The Maserati Buck case: a 229-inch deer poached under a streetlight near a luxury car dealership
· “Antlers make people do crazy things.” - Hayden on poaching motives
· Honest mistakes vs. intentional violations: why self-reporting matters
· Digital licensing pitfalls and why preparation is key
· Building trust and positive relationships between hunters and wardens
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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