Former B.C. Fisheries Officer Hosts New TV Series Showcasing the High-Stakes World of Game Wardens

For 35 years, Randy Nelson patrolled the wilderness as a fisheries officer, encountering poachers, dangerous criminals, and unpredictable wildlife. Now, his experiences—and those of game wardens across North America—are the inspiration behind a new TV series, Wardens: Case Files.

The show, which premiered on Feb. 14 on the Outdoor Channel, blends firsthand storytelling, officer interviews, and dramatic reenactments, similar to CBC’s The Detectives.

From the Wild to the Screen

The idea for the show originated from Nelson’s second book, The Wildest Hunt, which compiles true stories from game wardens facing high-risk situations.

"Current game warden shows focus on the day-to-day job, and people think, 'Oh, that’s kind of a cool job,'" Nelson said in an interview.

"But when they see what this is, it’s going to blow people away. There’s scary stuff, funny stuff—it’s all over the map."

Nelson, who lives in Kamloops, B.C., was approached by a production company in early 2024 about bringing his book to television. Originally, filming was planned across the U.S. and Canada, but a law enforcement conference in Penticton, B.C. allowed the crew to interview multiple officers in one location before heading to Montana for additional production.

Real-Life Danger in the Wild

The show features intense real-life stories, including one from a New Hampshire game warden who survived a violent ambush.

According to Nelson, the warden had been chasing a suspect who had already killed a judge, shot a police officer, and stolen a patrol car.

"As the warden was chasing him, the bad guy got ahead, turned around, and ambushed him as he came around a corner—shooting straight through the windshield," Nelson said.

Miraculously, the bullet hit the warden’s badge, deflecting into his arm rather than causing fatal damage.

"It’s a dangerous job," Nelson added. "Out there in the wilds, almost everyone you’re dealing with has knives and guns."

How to Watch the Show

While Wardens: Case Files has debuted in the U.S. on the Outdoor Channel, Canadian viewers will have to wait a little longer. The network says content is typically available 90 days after airing on the MyOutdoorTV app, which Canadians can download for streaming.