Since January 2023, we have been following HR 82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, which is legislation to eliminate the government pension offset and the windfall elimination provision of the social security act. In simple terms, this bill…
John Ortmann joins the ranks of Game Warden Authors
I began this writing in 2013 but began the “story” in 1963 and never thought it would get to a publisher. Some pressure from my wife helped. “Is It Routine” is available on Amazon.com as well as Kindle but would…
SB-1446 Changes the law pertaining to large capacity magazines
Anytime most of us see a new gun law, we automatically panic, thinking that our rights are being taken away. I understand that reaction. In fact, just this evening I saw a note on facebook listing several bills that have…
Honoring Retired Captain Ray Nilsson
Ray Nilsson was not only a well respected Warden & Captain in the Department of Fish and Game, he is an honored World War II veteran as well. Captain Ray Nilsson is not the only member of the family to…
Are You Ready To Be A Criminal
For years we were not just law enforcement officers, but were people who obeyed the law. Soon, if the Governor signs SB 396, those of us who are now retired game wardens will soon be criminals. We did not do…
Costco Book Signing a Sell Out
We sold out in two hours at the Redding Costco book signing, on Friday. Saturday, we sold out again at the Whole Earth Watershed Festival. The young man on my right is Gil Berg, a well-known retired California Fish and…
Wardens Killed, Wounded or Who Died While on Duty Since 1900
Bert Blanchard, killed on Feb. 2, 1913. Contra Costa Co. John W. Galloway, wounded on March 10, 1913. S.F. Co. Ernest Raynaud, killed on April 16, 1913. San Quentin Pt., Marin Co. Frank Cady, wounded on June 1913. Near Moon…
A Brief History of California Game Wardens
History of California Game Wardens Before California was admitted as the thirty-first state by the U.S. Congress on September 9, 1850 it had already had more than twenty years of Spanish and Mexican Fish and Game laws in place. In…