Outdoor Channel’s ‘Wardens’ to feature Michigan Department of Natural Resources

From left, videographer Kristin Ojaniemi; Paul Theriault and his grandson Andrew Stahl, both of Petoskey; and Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Mark Leadman. Leadman talks with deer hunters Theriault and Stahl in Marquette County during the firearm deer season in November 2016, while Ojaniemi captures the scene for the “Wardens” television show.
From left, videographer Kristin Ojaniemi; Paul Theriault and his grandson Andrew Stahl, both of Petoskey; and Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Mark Leadman. Leadman talks with deer hunters Theriault and Stahl in Marquette County during the firearm deer season in November 2016, while Ojaniemi captures the scene for the “Wardens” television show.
Michigan DNR
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Michigan-(Ammoland.com)- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has partnered with the Outdoor Channel on production of the 2017 season of its television series “Wardens.”

Each episode of the season, which will air on Outdoor Channel Mondays at 9:30 p.m. (beginning Feb. 6), will showcase law enforcement work of DNR conservation officers and the DNR’s natural resources management efforts.

“We are thrilled to have the Outdoor Channel in Michigan to showcase our state’s world-class natural resources – fabulous forests, award-winning state parks, an abundance of wildlife and the largest portfolio of freshwater fisheries in the world,” said DNR Director Keith Creagh. “This is a unique opportunity to give the public a closer look at what the men and women of the DNR – our dedicated conservation officers, but also biologists, foresters, park managers – do to conserve, protect and manage Michigan’s natural and cultural resources.”

“Outdoor Channel continues to provide interesting and compelling outdoor lifestyle programming,” said Outdoor Channel Executive Producer Tom Dooley. “‘Wardens’ is one of those programs and we hope viewers are as excited as we are to see this show.”

Videographer Kristin Ojaniemi and Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Mark Leadman talk in Leadman’s truck, as Ojaniemi films for the “Wardens” television show.
Videographer Kristin Ojaniemi and Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Mark Leadman talk in Leadman’s truck, as Ojaniemi films for the “Wardens” television show.

Michigan-based Wolf Creek Productions is filming episodes at locations around the state. Approximately 40 conservation officers, as well as many staff members from other DNR divisions, will be featured throughout the season. The episodes will delve into a wide variety of topics – from Black Lake sturgeon conservation to off-road vehicle riding at Silver Lake State Park to bear and deer hunting.

“For 130 years the Law Enforcement Division of the Michigan DNR has been protecting the state’s natural resources and wildlife,” said Tom Nichols, president of Wolf Creek Productions. “We can’t wait to share their stories with viewers across the nation.”

In Sault Ste. Marie Tuesday, three Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers, their division chief and the DNR director pose for a photo promoting the Feb. 6 premiere of “Wardens” on the Outdoor Channel. From left, DNR Conservation Officer Jon Busken (Mackinac County), Sgt. Mike Hammill (Luce, Mackinac and Chippewa counties), Conservation Officer Bobby Watson (Luce County), DNR Director Keith Creagh and DNR Law Enforcement Division Chief Gary Hagler. Busken, Hammill and Watson appear in the premiere episode.
In Sault Ste. Marie Tuesday, three Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers, their division chief and the DNR director pose for a photo promoting the Feb. 6 premiere of “Wardens” on the Outdoor Channel. From left, DNR Conservation Officer Jon Busken (Mackinac County), Sgt. Mike Hammill (Luce, Mackinac and Chippewa counties), Conservation Officer Bobby Watson (Luce County), DNR Director Keith Creagh and DNR Law Enforcement Division Chief Gary Hagler. Busken, Hammill and Watson appear in the premiere episode.

“Wardens,” on air since 2011, chronicles the lives of conservation officers in America. To learn more about the show, visit outdoorchannel.com/wardens.

About Outdoor Channel:

Outdoor Channel has been taking viewers across America and around the world on unparalleled adventures since 1993. Dedicated to the outdoor lifestyle and conservation, the independent cable network is a division of Outdoor Sportsman Group and provides a complete spectrum of riveting hunting, fishing, shooting and adventure entertainment. Outdoor Channel is the largest outdoor TV footprint in the country and is available in more than 50 countries internationally. Outdoor Channel can be viewed in HD and is accessible by broadband and mobile platforms. For program times and other information, visit www.outdoorchannel.com. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. #WhatGetsYouOutdoors

Wolf Creek Productions, an award-winning production company based in Perry, Michigan, was founded in 1993 with the goal of bringing a whole new approach to outdoor television and video production. In a world of “reality TV,” Wolf Creek set out to be as real and authentic as possible. The company shares stories of real people and the places they go, the adventures they seek and the things about which they are most passionate. More than 2,000 television episodes and countless corporate productions later, Wolf Creek is still going strong. Learn more at www.wolfcreekinc.com.

Michigan conservation officers are fully commissioned state peace officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety and protect citizens by providing general law enforcement duties and lifesaving operations in the communities they serve. To learn more about the work of conservation officers, visit www.michigan.gov/conservationofficer.