Wild Justice: The Life of a Game Warden

Alex Robinson Avatar

By Alex Robinson

Updated on Apr 20, 2021

Share

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo10013215791_66.jpg
Ever wonder what it's like to be a game warden? The National Geographic Channel's new show can give you a pretty good idea. All photos courtesy of National Geographic
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo10013215792x_3.jpg
The show follows a team of California wardens as they work to capture poachers, stop illegal marijuana growers and enforce game laws.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images2010123x_2.jpg
The wardens typically work alone or in small teams which makes their job even more dangerous, as backup could be miles away.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images2010124_29.jpg
Here's Kyle Kroll and his trusted partner, Buck. Kroll and Buck have been partners for six years.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images2010125_28.jpg
The wardens' encounters can range from a typical stop and check to a dangerous drug bust.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo100132157948_1.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo100132157952.jpg
Adding to the drama is the fact that California has a variety of diverse natural habitats as well as diverse cultures and populations.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images2010128x_4.jpg
Here's Warden William O'Brien with an animal penis of unknown origin found during a raid in Chinatown.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo10013215799_62.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101210x_2.jpg
One of the Wild Justice episodes sheds light on bear poaching. Black bear gallbladders are highly sought after for traditional Chinese medicine and the demand brings high prices that drive poachers to kill bears.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo100132157911_59.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo100132157912_59.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101213_21.jpg
Here the wardens are gearing up for a potential bust on illegal marijuana growers.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101214_20.jpg
The dangerous situations call for military tactics and equipment.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo100132157915_46.jpg
Filming all of the action live was no easy task. "One of the things that we're learning in the process of shooting this show, is that we're at the whim of the bad guy. What I mean by that is the bad guys don't operate on a 9-5, 5 day-a-week schedule. They keep odd hours, they have odd habits, and it's a matter of timing, hard work, and good luck that enables the wardens to be successful (and if the warden's are successful, then we're successful)," Eric Leemon, the show's supervising producer writes on nationalgeographic.com.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101216_12.jpg
Anderson Reservoir, CA: Director of Photography Justin Spina attaches a camera to warden Chris Stoots.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101217x_0.jpg
Here the wardens are executing helicopter training.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101218_12.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo100132157919_44.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101220_10.jpg
The wardens on the show treat their job with deadly seriousness. "This is my purpose in life. God has sent me to protect wildlife from such perpetrators and there is no one or nothing that can stop me. God will decide when my efforts will retire. I am so thankful for this mission. There is no better satisfaction to me than to sneak up on poachers and to see the look of utter shock on their faces when I jump out of a tree on them," Warden Brian Boyd told the National Geographic crew.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101221_12.jpg
Wild Justice airs on the National Geographic Channel with new episodes on Wednesday at 10pm ET/PT.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo100132157922_31.jpg
To learn more about the show go to https://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/wild-justice
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo100132157923_35.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101224_9.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101225_8.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101226_3.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo100132157927_17.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101228_2.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101229_1.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101230_2.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101231_1.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101232_1.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo100132157933_11.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101234_1.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101235_1.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101236_1.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101237_1.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101238_1.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101239_1.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo100132157940_7.jpg
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20101241_1.jpg

The National Geographic Channel has a new series that takes an inside-look at one of the toughest and most important jobs: a game warden.

Alex Robinson Avatar

Alex Robinson

Editor-in-Chief

Alex Robinson is Outdoor Life’s editor-in-chief. He oversees an ace team of writers, photographers, and editors who are scattered across the continent and cover everything from backcountry sheep hunting to trail running.

Learn more about Outdoorlife.com Editorial Standards