In the late 1980s I became interested in dog training, specifically competing in obedience trials with my Irish Setter. I found it a challenging and rewarding hobby and really enjoyed the rapport and relationship that develops when training and working with dogs. In the late 1990s I purchased a Flat-Coated Retriever and became totally captivated by and obsessed with training my dogs for waterfowl and upland hunting and participating in hunt tests, which is a performance dog sport that mimics a day hunting with your dog. Since then, I’ve trained and handled numerous of my home bred Flat-Coats to national level competitions in Canada and the United States. We’ve traveled across North America – as far as South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, etc. to enter events. My retirement is focused around my dogs – training them for competitive events and raising the occasional litter of Flat-Coat puppies. My puppies are dispersed across North America, in Costa Rica and a few are in Europe. It’s all extremely challenging, fulfilling and satisfying vocation.
Judy and Zephyr 2017
MH: Is there anything I haven’t asked you that you think I should know about the Warden Service? 4845:
JT: This doesn’t really answer your question, but is somewhat related. During my career with BC Environment, I was involved in many, many adversarial and contentious meetings with the logging industry. To say that our interests and objectives were compatible would be pretty much a lie! When preparing for these meetings frequently I’d give myself a bit of a pep talk – – “Judy, you’ve trapped, tranquilized and tattooed grizzly bears!! How awful could this meeting possibly be?” I’d always feel better after that pep talk!
I really wanted to get the experiences and attitudes about female Park Wardens into my interview and I think I have done that.
MH: Anyone else to interview?
JT: Sid Marty – I’m sad he didn’t want to be interviewed. He was very committed to and passionate about the National Parks and committed to being a Park Warden. And what about Monte Rose? (difficult to transcribe interview by Rick Kunelius) Monte Rose stories are infamous. That guy was out there! It would be great if you could try again with an interview.
MH: Any final comments?
JT: Thank you very much for the opportunity to tell some of my Warden Service stories! I’ve really enjoyed reflecting back on those years. Reflecting on the Parks and the exceptional Wardens I worked with.
Over the years many of my friends have encouraged me to write about my experiences and stories and I hope this interview will add to the fascinating and intriguing evolution and history of the Park Warden Service.
All of this reminiscing about the Parks reminded me about the book of poetry called Timberline Tales by Jim Deegan…. I’m looking forward to reading it again! Jim dedicated the book as follows:
to the people of the park
the wardens
the guides
the packers
and to the Timberline’s packhorse
Kootenay
Who taught him everything he knows.
I wanted to weave Jim Deegan into my story because I enjoyed him a lot. His book is very fitting!
Alberta Hunt Test A
