Retired game warden highlights career in new book

As a game warden, Gary Ralston has seen - and heard - it all.

The Creighton resident shared his reasons for writing a collection of short stories about situations a game warden may encounter, during an Oct. 26 program at the Orchard Public Library.

"It's been more successful than I had suspicion it might be," he told a crowd of approximately 25 individuals.

Ralston's drive to record his stories came directly from the work of as a warden.

Ralston's assigned area included all of Antelope and two-thirds of Knox counties, approximately 1,535 square miles.

"After working 40 years as a game warden, I was pretty well convinced that the vast majority of people had no idea of all a game warden does," Ralston said.

While checking in with hunting and fishing enthusiasts is part of the job, it's just "the tip of the iceberg."

"It's a minor part of what we do," Ralston said. Game wardens do a lot of work with things that affect the environment and wildlife."

He hopes his words may "sway the minds," save some wildlife and change some minds about the need for wildlife management.

"I think we take a lot for granted and I believe a lot of what happens in nature is a good barometer of what's happened in the past 75 to 100 years and a pretty good indication of what we have to look forward to, when you look at the environment and the problems we have today," he said.

The book doesn't follow a storyline. Instead, it includes situations Ralston experienced through his years working for Nebraska Game & Parks Commission.

"Every day is different. You never know what you're going to run into. There were never two days alike," Ralston said.

Otto's character is based on a Bohemian farmer who Ralston befriended.

"He was a tough old bird. When I came here, he absolutely hated the game commission. He didn't like game wardens. He didn't care for hunters and he didn't let anybody hunt," he said.

An area resident told Ralston he'd "have his work cut out" to befriend Otto.

"It took me at least three years to get to know him, but he and I became the best of friends," Ralston said.

Will there be a second book in Ralston's future?

"People have asked and said they would purchase it, but we'll see how this one goes," he said.

Ralston's book is available at bookstores or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play and Barnes and Noble.