THIS ADVENTURE STORY IS LIKE NO OTHER STORY YOU WILL READ. YOU GET TO CHOOSE HOW THE STORY GOES! JOIN THE ADVENTURE OF A FISH AND WILDLFIE AGENT AS SHE DISCOVERS THE WORLD OF WILDLIFE SMUGGLING. THIS BOOK HELPS SUPPORT AHWF.ORG. THANK YOU FOR CARING ABOUT WILDLIFE.

A heartfelt, sometimes gut-wrenching but always exciting journey into the never-ending war on poachers, smugglers, and market hunters.

The Wilderness Within is a series of true adventures that decsribes man's journey into God's natural world. Author David Swendsen, having serves 21 years as a special agent for the Department of interior, amazes, edifies, and rewards readers; describing actual experiences and comic episodes that occured during his career as he dealt with all kinds of humans as they experienced their trips into Nature's outdoors. These actual wilderness journeys tell us of the interconnecting saga of all life on this planet. the author vividly describes some of the strange animal antics experienced; such as a loon that thought he was a fish, and a bass that flew out of water. When humans violate outdoor regulations, all their antics can backfire on them. Swendsen tells about the illegal hunter whose sweaty hads did him in, and the fellow officer who expected, and got, "special" treatment. To apprehend hardcore violators, the author says, "we win some, lose some", as he describes how dead fish can swim and how he is outrun by an old, habitual violator. Priceless deputies include fellow fish and game personnel, such as forest ranger Major (the real first name) Mellen and his 90 pound black lab Midnight.

The centerpiece story takes place in Colorado's San Luis Valley, describing one of the largest sting operations to catch a ring of pachers in his career.

In this outdoors thriller, the investigation of a bizarre wolf attack leads to evidence of murder, conspiracy, and shocking family secrets. A decades-old promise haunts Sam Rivers, but the wildlife biologist refuses to return home—not with his abusive and estranged father still there. Rivers left the family farm some 20 years ago. He found solace in nature and built a respected career as a special agent for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. His experiences have given him a penchant for understanding predators—a skill he’ll need, now, more than ever. After his father’s mysterious death, Rivers is lured back to his hometown of Defiance, in northern Minnesota, to fulfill his mother’s dying wish. But all is not as it seems. Rivers breaks into his childhood home during a howling winter storm and discovers something sinister. His suspicions are heightened after a bizarre wolf attack on local livestock. The events lead the special agent to a series of clues that could change everything he knows—or thinks he knows—about the town, his family, and himself. With the help of alluring reporter Diane Talbott, Rivers must unravel the wolf kill and learn what really happened to his father—a man Rivers has hated for most of his life. It is a case unlike any he’s worked before. His knowledge of frigid winters, wolves, and wilderness will be put to the test, as he tries to solve the case—and stay alive. In Wolf Kill,natural history writer Cary J. Griffith introduces readers to Sam Rivers, the predator’s predator, and weaves a masterful tale of danger and suspense in the far north.

The backcountry is full of great stories, and we’re proud to bring you this collection of some of our favorites. From an award-winning tale of a daughter confronting her family’s dark past to a tongue-in-cheek romp through the one of the country’s oldest outdoor stores, these stories exemplify the power of quality writing and the transformative experience of the outdoors. Table of Contents: I’m Hiking With Stupid A Buddy Story By Steve Friedman Secret Agent Man Animals can’t talk, but Ed Newcomer can. As an elite U.S. Fish & Wildlife detective, he goes undercover to protect threatened raptors, bears, even butterflies—and bring poachers and smugglers to court. Inside the agency’s latest covert operation. By Bruce Barcott (Don’t) Pay at the Pump Gas prices are soaring. glaciers are melting—what’s a conscientious hiker to do? Take the bus, says our reporter, who did just that to escape downtown L.A. By Dan Koeppel Walking the Talk First, John Francis stopped riding in cars. Then he stopped talking. More than three decades, two continent-spanning hikes, and countless trail miles later, he’s still following his remarkable path of protest—only now he’s not alone. By Bill Donahue Live Earth The planet’s most dynamic landscape is full of bubbling hot springs, steaming geysers, and kaleidoscopic lava flows. Hike Iceland’s epic Laugevegur Trail, and join the action. By Michael Lanza The Source of All Things (winner of the National Magazine Award) What if your favorite place in the world was ground zero for your greatest strengths and your deepest fears? What if that place was deep in one of North America’s most remote and beautiful wilderness areas? The author and her father trek into Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains to grapple with a tragedy that has haunted them for decades. By Tracy Ross 24 Hours of L.L. Bean It’s the gear world’s ultimate endurance event: a full day and night roaming the aisles at Bean’s flagship store in Freeport, Maine. Will our man survive? By Dan Koeppel Rescue Me On a snowy night in New Hampshire, a Congressional candidate crashed his car, wandered into the woods, and collapsed. Twenty-seven hours later, rescuers carried him out. And then the real drama began. By David Howard The Hardest Miles Survivors of the Bataan death march overcame one of history’s most grueling walks. What kept them on their feet? And could you do the same? Every year, more than 4,000 people hike through the New Mexico desert to find out. By Evelyn Spence I Will Survive Flesh-eating bears. Dive-bombing eagles. Can a regular guy escape certain death armed with only the clothes on his back and the skills he’s learned on T.V.? By Steve Friedman The Onion vs. Mr. Magoo Competition boils over during a 5,600-mile footrace on the country’s hardest trail. By Andrew Tilin Shock and Awe You think climbing Rainier is tough? Try it blind. Or with one leg. Then see who you pity. By Michael Perry Destination Nowhere The most remote spot in the Lower 48 is inside Yellowstone National Park. It’s also the goal of our correspondent, who travels deep into the ancestral home of grizzlies, wolves, and elk to gauge the state of wilderness in our nation’s first preserve. What he encounters—and what it says about the solitude backpackers treasure—will surprise you. By Mark Jenkins