Poachers Caught!

Tom Chapin is a native of Hibbing, Minnesota. He earned his bachelor’s degree in zoology in 1972 from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, after a two-year tour in the US Army. Most of his 29-year career as a natural resource conservation officer was spent in the Grand Rapids, Minnesota, district, where he also served as area supervisor for seven years. Chief among the honors he received include the 1978 Itasca County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year and the 1985 Minnesota Conservation Officer of the Year.Tom has also served as adjunct faculty, teaching law enforcement courses at Itasca and Hibbing Community Colleges. The author’s campaigning and testimony prompted the Minnesota State Legislature to enact a gross over-limit law. Known as the “Chapin Bill,” this law became effective March 1, 2003. It increased penalties, including the loss of hunting and fishing privileges, for violators who take large quantities of game and fish.Throughout his career as a game warden, Tom took hundreds of photographs documenting illegal activities. These photos were an integral part of his group presentations, which have both educated and entertained audiences interested in natural resources issues. Tom and his wife, Sandy, raised daughters Colleen, Anita, and Beth in Grand Rapids, where Tom retired from public service.

• AcknowledgmentsIntroduction1. The Phony Figures2. The Humbling Hasp3. The Wrinkled Motorbike4. The Covert Cabin5. The Brassy Bruin6. The Right Spot at the Wrong Time7. The Incriminating Deer Head8. The Stealth Lights9. The Dropping Duck10. The Sunken Stringer11. The Mistaken Identity12. The Pike Pat-Down13. The Chicago Two14. The Dead Decoy15. The Canned Message16. The Dripping Cedars17. The Three Amigos18. The Empty Freezer19. The Elusive Bug Deflector20. The Corvette Caper21. The Cluttered Shack22. The Bag Bears23. The Failed Flee24. The Patient Hunter25. The Crafty Netters26. The Caged Critter27. The Paddling Pursuit28. The Canine Creep29. The Packed Pickup30. The Disguised Surprise31. The Attack Deer32. The Vicious VW33. The Corroborating Candy Wrapper34. The Brazen Trio35. The Slow-Speed Follow36. The Alien ImposterAbout the Author

“Two things become clear after reading Tom Chapin’s book. He knows how to tell a story, and you wouldn’t have wanted him on your case if you were a poacher.”—Sam Cook, Duluth News Tribune“Every chapter is a compelling adventure—a true story—sometimes unbelievable—documented with facts and photos. Tom promotes a high ethical standard for all sportsmen and sportswomen.”—Catherine McLynn, Itasca County Commissioner