About Me
The series of Son of a Poacher books is a continuation stemming from the first book of Son of a Poacher – Wyoming Warden in the Making, sharing true stories from Author Scott Werbelow’s remarkable 33-year journey as a Wyoming Game Warden in western Wyoming.
The first five years of my life were spent in Emblem, Wyoming—population 10. My father worked hard to pay the bills, and we lived paycheck to paycheck. He was an alcoholic, and my parents divorced when I was five years old. Soon after, my mother remarried my stepfather, Martin Mayland, who owned a large ranch. It was there that I grew up enjoying hunting and fishing, but more importantly, I learned to work hard, care for the land and livestock, and take on responsibilities beyond my years. From a very young age, my parents instilled in me self-confidence and a strong work ethic.
It was my dream to become a Wyoming Game Warden someday. The thought of wearing that red shirt and enforcing wildlife regulations was all I could think about. The problem was, I wasn’t good at school. I acted out when I was bored and spent much of my time being disciplined for poor behavior. I simply didn’t apply myself because I hated it.
Although I did graduate from high school, I had no intention of going to college. That changed when my brother, Wade, encouraged me to play football at Chadron College in Nebraska. Since enrolling in classes was required to play on the team, I eventually earned a BS degree in industrial technology.
I always dreamed of becoming a game warden, but my college advisor discouraged me, saying there were too few permanent jobs at the time. After graduating from college, I worked as a substitute teacher. When an opening finally came up in the Game and Fish Department, I jumped at the opportunity.
It wasn’t easy—it was an uphill battle—but eventually, I was hired by the Wyoming Game & Fish Department. From there, I spent over twenty-five years living a life that many could hardly imagine. Those decades of experience and countless stories inspired me to write a book, sharing my journey from childhood to the moment I finally fulfilled my dream of becoming a game warden.
All the stories in this book are true—at least as I remembered them back then! This book shares the early part of my journey and the challenges I faced on my way to becoming a Wyoming game warden. I hope to continue writing more true stories from my thirty three -plus years in the field, filled with wild and unforgettable adventures. Recently retired in March 2025
I feel blessed to have lived such a life, and now it’s time to share some of those stories with you.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by.
Meeteese
My Hometown
