Poachers Caught!: Adventures of a Northwoods Game Warden

As a former Minnesota Conservation Officer I had the pleasure of working with Tom Chapin a couple of times. Tom is a true gentleman, not quite what you would expect in the raw north woods of Minnesota chasing poachers. As I read both of his books I found myself asking what was so unusual about his stories; they all seemed like usual happenings for any Game Warden. Then I realized that they didn't seem unique to me because I too had been through most of the situations that Tom mentions in his books except Tom is far too mellow and humble. What Tom doesn't mention is that far too many of the game and fish arrests back in the 70s and 80s resulted in nothing more than a slap on the wrist for the poacher. In the late 70s several of us worked an illegal fish netting case in Tom's town and caught a fish poacher who had taken hundreds of walleyes illegally and was selling them to the Country Kitchen restaurant for their Friday fish fry. The poacher laughed at us in court when he got a $500 fine and said he would make that much and more then next night netting walleyes. The fine was no deterrent then. The small part of both books I disliked is the fact that Tom glossed over the danger of the job-danger from poacher's guns and fish spears, from drowning, from hypothermia, and high-speed chases when the offender is armed with a high powered rifle. Back then several of us were involved in poachers shooting at officers or knew of an officer who had been shot by a poacher, some as young as 15. These books are well worth the money, but remember when you read them that Tom has approached his subject from a mostly humorous side and that the job of a Conservation Officer, Game Warden, or any wildlife enforcement agent is extremely dangerous with little reward except for the self-satisfaction of protecting our natural resources from disappearing. Good Job Tom. Enjoy your retirement.

What can I say but that this was probably the most interesting and intriging book I have ever read! It was so funny it kept me up all night laughing and wanting to read more! The fact that it is all real only added the hystericle excitement. It was witty and fun with a hint of sadness for the abused resources. It really made me respect conservation officers more, and oppreciate their work.

He knows his stuff. This book is a quick read. Great short stories that make you laugh and realise what it takes to be a good Game Warden.

"Poachers Caught" is a good, entertaining quickread of the wild episodes of a dedicated natural resource enforcement officer. The short stories offer compelling reading of real life experiences more interesting than fiction. It is no wonder the book is in its 2nd printing only one month after introduction. Astounding sucess for a first time, self published author.

Good to know that there are folks like Tom Chapin out there protecting our natural resources. The guy was awfully dedicated to his mission. The stories are entertaining and well written. Chapin has a way of educating us as we read, about the game and fish laws and why certain regulations are necessary. He educates us without us realizing it because the stories are so entertaining. A great addition to the outdoorsman's bookshelf and because of the nature of the stories... police work and investigation... anyone will find it interesting.