Warden Force - by Terry Hodges (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

A collection of 13 award-winning short stories concerning the true adventures of California Fish and Game Wardens and the wildlife-destroying outlaws they pursue. These stories illustrate the wide variety of wildlife-related problems wardens face in California, which has a greater diversity of wildlife and wildlife habitat than any other state and is second only to Alaska in its vast expanses of wilderness.

The sixth season contains 13 more exciting adventures:

Scum of the Delta - A lone warden faces three armed and dangerous outlaws at night on a lonely Delta island.

Night of the Beach Walkers - Wardens set a trap for renegade abalone pickers on an Island off the California coast.

The High Cost of Greed - A massive overlimit of snow geese equals bad news for greedy poachers.

The Best Medicine - A young boy provides a cure for racial tension.

Ordeal at Skull Canyon - A dark night and a mistake on an offshore island nearly proves fatal for a young warden.

Hoffman's Lucky Shot - A lucky break spares the evil life of a dangerous poacher.

Moseley's Reward - A well timed tip sets wardens on the trail of outlaw mountain lion trappers.

Herpie and the Snake Lady - Wardens raid an absolute house of horrors and target lawless reptile dealers.

Road Hunter - A road-hunting pheasant poacher leads a clever warden to pull off the most spectacular arrest of his career.

Harold's Toughest Race - A tough, marathon-running warden amazes everyone by running down an escaping would-be rapist.

Fatal Flaw - One dark mountain night, a lone warden, at great personal risk, bluffs a lawless band of brush-cutters to arrest a deer poacher and a wanted felon.

Tuffy's Sweet Moment - An epic foot chase ends in near death for a fleeing violator.

An Ending of Sorts - A warden-turned-writer, one winter's evening, reflects on his career and that of his long-dead mentor

Review Quotes

We have every one of Terry's books save this one. Can't wait for it to arrive. Terry has developed a mastery in storytelling. You are there. When he discusses being out in the middle of the night, I feel like reading under the blanket with a flashlight. Truly. The easy read is perfection as well as understandable, but have to force myself to put it down as I don't want it to end so quickly. You'll better understand what wardens have to do other than check fishing licenses. Extremely comprehensive. Bill Adelman

"I once had hopes of becoming a game warden, but it wasn't to be. I have learned, however, that reading game warden stories by Terry Hodges is the next best thing. Terry's are the only outdoor books that I read in their entirety. His latest is an extraordinary piece of work." Tom Stienstra, San Francisco Examiner

"Not even in your imagination could you conjure up the intriguing stories in Terry Hodges' latest book. Most people have no idea how dangerous and complex a warden's job is, but they will, when they read this book. It's hard to put down without saying to yourself, One more story, just one more story." Bob Simms, KFBK Radio, Sacramento

"Lieutenant Terry Hodges is to wildlife protectors what Joseph Wambaugh is to big-city cops. ...evocative story-telling" Paul Dean, Los Angeles Times

"...great true stories by this celebrated and very talented California conservation officer and outdoor writer, and they have become required reading for fish and game cops across North America. He portrays game poachers and violators for what they are - thieves who steal fish, fur and game from everyone. This is a great read, and one every law officer and sportsman should read." Dave Richey, Outdoor Writer, The Detroit News