Does Poaching Really Matter?

District Game Warden Gavin Herbert

The reason I got into this profession was to protect the natural resources that we enjoy so much. It never crossed my mind as a game warden that I would have the opportunity to inspire others by writing directly to them. But there has never been a better time to inspire others and protect our way of life.

In a recent study published by the Boone and Crocket Club as part of their Poach and Pay program, it unveiled that only 3-5% of poachers get caught nationwide, meaning around 95% of poaching incidents go undetected. These poaching incidents that go unnoticed cost the American public billions of dollars that could be better spent on conservation.

Billion is not a small number and it is a huge loss to the public for the replacement cost of illegally taken wildlife. Not to mention that hunting is on a decline across the U.S., which is where much of the funding is generated for conservation.

This is a very thought-provoking dilemma for how the North American Model of Conservation is being undermined by those who discredit our system by poaching.

Never has it been clearer to me the harm that poachers cause. Hunting is often looked through a negative lens by portions of the public, and these negatives are often confirmed by examples of poaching. Now we all know hunters and poachers are not the same but how will someone that is not a part of our hunting community see it? In a world where support for hunting is declining, do we need poachers making our way of life look bad? How do we recruit people when their examples of hunting come from bad places or at least how do we gain support?

How poaching affects public perception, along with the impact it has on conservation, has never been clearer, so why do we as the public tolerate it?

This new information has brought more meaning to my career and the importance of what I do, but I believe that the changes will start with you. Wardens make many cases off of public reports. My best case ever came from a phone call. I could never have caught the man responsible without that call. We often cannot do it alone and it is important that you see why your role is so important.

It is easy to say that an individual warden is Behind the Badge, but what is truly Behind the Badge is a community of enthusiastic conservationists, hunters and anglers who support us. We cannot do it without you.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Nearly two years after a deadly crash on Highway 2 near the Grand Forks Airport, Travis Bell heard from the family he forever changed and learned how long he’ll spend in prison.

Bell, 45, of Fordville, pleaded guilty to criminal vehicular homicide and injury for the June 2024 crash. Investigators say he had been drinking, was about 20 miles over the speed limit, eating and looking at his phone when he rear-ended Nicole Louthain’s SUV at a red light near the airport.

Nicole was seriously hurt. Her 6-year-old daughter, Katarina, died in the hospital. Her husband Robert serves at the Grand Forks Air Force Base.

Family shares impact of loss

“I could not help her. I could not reach her. That moment replays in my dreams and it follows me to my waking hours. It shapes how I sleep how I think how I function and how I exist in the world,” Nicole Louthain said.

“When my wife miraculously lived and held our only child with me listening to her precious heartbeat fade into silence, Mr. Bell walked free from custody and went home to reassure his family that he was ok,” Robert Louthain said.

Four victim impact statements were given, including from Robert and Nicole. Forty-six people wrote letters supporting Bell’s character and asking for leniency.

“I’ve had two years to think about all the things I could say. There’s no words of mine that will make this day or that day go away. Time heals. I’m truly sorry for the loss I have caused,” Bell said.

Judge issues maximum sentence

Judge Theodore Sandberg rejected a shorter term and gave Bell the maximum under his plea deal: six years in prison, three years supervised probation and two years in a sobriety program.

“When we were speaking about this upcoming sentencing and this plea agreement that called for the potential of 3-6 years, I remember Robert saying I hope he gets the six years so that he can see how short of a period of time that is. I thought wow that’s perspective. 6 years might seem like a lot of Mr. Bell, but it was a short period of time in the life of a child,” Sandberg said.

The Louthains say no sentence can match their loss. But they’re using this case to push for tougher DUI laws in North Dakota in Katarina’s name.

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Families gathered at the North Dakota Heritage Center on Sunday to celebrate Syttende Mai, Norway’s Constitution Day, with Scandinavian music, crafts and traditional treats.

The free event featured hands-on activities like wood carving and rosemaling, heritage displays and traditional treats including kransekake, a Norwegian almond cake often served at weddings and other special events.

The displays highlighted Norwegian heritage and traditions passed down through generations.

“It’s nostalgia as much as anything that you just remember watching grandma or great-grandma make some of these things and have them, especially at Christmas or holidays,” said Claudia Berg of Sons of Norway.

Organizers say celebrations like Syttende Mai help keep cultural traditions alive, while also introducing younger generations to their family history.

“It’s really important that they keep doing this so generations learn and don’t forget,” said Susan Hamner-Schneider of Sons of Norway.

The celebration also included a free Scandinavian music concert featuring traditional Norwegian and Swedish songs, along with modern selections and Eurovision favorites.