4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating true story of an undercover wildlife agent's most harrowing case., August 19, 2006
This review is from: A Hunt for Justice: The True Story of a Woman Undercover Wildlife Agent (Hardcover)
Until her retirement in 2004, Lucinda Schroeder was a special agent for the US Fish & Wildlife Service, only the third woman to be hired by the force, and the first woman to do undercover work in the field. But for a long while she was given only small, simple cases to handle, and felt frustrated by the lack of faith her male counterparts seemed to have in her abilities to handle the rigors of the job. Finally, after years of being given disappointing, low-priority cases, Schroeder was assigned to the project this book revolves around, a case that would give her a chance to show her capabilities by bringing down a large-scale poaching operation in the Brooks Range of Alaska, but would at the same time be one of the biggest challenges she had ever faced in her career.
The book opens in 1991. Schroeder, using the pseudonym Jayne Dyer, is working her way into the good graces of the friends of a man named Bob Bowman, long suspected by the Fish & Wildlife Service of using illegal methods to guarantee his clients trophy kills on the hunting charters he runs. It was thought that Bowman was using airplanes to herd animals to his clients, and later Schroeder would discover that he was violating the law in numerous other ways as well, including taking his customers onto the protected Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to hunt. It is not until the season of 1992 that Schroeder is able to get herself booked on one of Bowman's charters. But when she finally does go undercover, it is a harrowing experience. For a week she is figuratively on her own in the Alaskan wilderness with a group of poachers led by a man known to have threatened that if he ever discovered a federal agent in his camp, he would kill them. She must spend this time closely observing everything done by Bowman, his employees, and his clients, so she can later make a full report of any and all violations. She must get as much information as possible without arousing suspicions. And if anything does go wrong - if the poachers somehow discover her true identity before the trip is over - she has no way to contact her fellow agents or get herself out of the camp before her scheduled departure.
Schroeder also brings a very human element to the story. In her work, she must face many personal conflicts of emotion. Her job is to protect wildlife, but she must make illegal kills in order to accomplish this. Moreover, she must present herself as an enthusiastic hunter in order to be convincing to those she is secretly investigating. At the same time, she develops friendships with the wives of a couple of the poachers, working in the kitchen at the main camp, and at times feels the strain of knowing that she will ultimately betray their trust.
The story doesn't end once the undercover work is finished, however. As you can imagine (since obviously she has survived to tell the tale), Schroeder makes it through her the fieldwork part of the investigation, but this isn't the end of the case. For months afterward, Schroeder and her fellow agents must work to compile evidence, collect statements, etc., and thus ensure that they will be able to make their case in a court of law. Only then can they actually move in to arrest the poachers and bring them to trial. Schroeder takes us through this entire process, which is just as interesting as the field work itself. One might think all this would be anti-climactic, but it isn't.
I found "A Hunt for Justice" to be thoroughly riveting, and unlike most other books. It has all the elements of a great undercover detective thriller, and yet it is a true-crime narrative. I could easily see the story being turned into a captivating movie. The writing is excellent - easy to read, and yet vivid and engaging. Schroeder is not only a competent wildlife law enforcement agent, but a gifted writer as well, and she really brings the story to life for the reader. Also included are a selection of black-and-white photographs from the operation, showing some of the huge trophy animals "Jayne" and Bowman's other clients brought down in the Brooks Range. Overall this was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I can't find a single thing to criticize about the book. Highly recommended.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wildlife True Crime, April 21, 2006
This review is from: A Hunt for Justice: The True Story of a Woman Undercover Wildlife Agent (Hardcover)
In the arena of natural resources law enforcement, responsible hunters are considered among the most ardent conservationists. "A Hunt for Justice" exposes the other side of the story, where greed and disregard for the animal overcome the concept of the fair hunt.
Fortunately, the Federal Investigators that protect our wildlife take on the challenge. Schroeder makes it clear that a successful undercover operation is a team effort, and includes the commitment of managers, field agents, and even family members. Her story is told in a matter-of-fact tone, and its message is definitely "Bad guys, beware."
True Crime readers and wildlife enthusiasts will find something special in "A Hunt for Justice."
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent story but a tough read for animal lovers, December 17, 2008
This review is from: A Hunt for Justice: The True Story of a Woman Undercover Wildlife Agent (Hardcover)
This was a really good book that I almost couldn't put down once her undercover assignment went "live." It's the story of an undercover wildlife agent setting up a sting on a lucrative and flagrantly unlawful poaching biz in Alaska. The owners corralled bear, rams, moose, caribou and anything else on 4 legs by using Piper Cub planes and GPS systems. It was horrifying to learn about this kind of thing that likely still goes on up there, and the people who live off of the brutality rained down on these poor animals.
The author's account, while a little rough around the edges, is clear and careful; she obviously cares a great deal for wildlife, even though she had to participate in some hunts to nab the nasties in the act.
Her post-script quantifying just how underfunded Fish and Wildlife are now is too sad to consider for too long. If it weren't for the dedication of agents like the ones in this account, we'd likely have an even more decimated wildlife population.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
