SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- California Fish and Game wardens were shot at Tuesday while following a white pick up truck in Big Bear.
The driver, believed to be Christopher Dorner, shot at the wardens a number of times.
Central Coast News spoke with a warden about how wildlife officers are able to protect themselves.
There's not much difference between a police officer and a Fish and Game warden when it comes to protecting themselves. Wardens have the same tools as police officers and some would argue even more.
"The tools at our disposal are on my waist right now," says California Fish and Wildlife warden Sean Kenady. "We have a side arm, a tazer, we have a tactical expanding baton as well as OC spray which is also known as pepper spray."
Wardens go through the same training as police officers except they focus on enforcing wildlife laws.
Fish and Game wardens have the same authority as police officers in that they can carry a firearm and they can wear a bullet proof vest.
"(We have a) Remington 870 shot gun," says Kenady. "We all hope we never have to use them and so far I've been lucky but they're there if we need them."
Additionally, wardens have radios for county communications and Fish and Game state radio. Their units have flash lights, navigation equipment and a lot of the same tools, you'll find in any police officer's vehicle.
As Kenady wears his mourning badge for the fallen deputies of the big bear shootout, he knows he has what he needs to defend himself.
"We come into contact with anglers and hunters in rural situations," says Kenady. "Most of them have at least knives, if not firearms, and yes, we are able to protect ourselves."
Six California Fish and Wildlife officers were involved in the search for Christopher Dorner and the department says all are safe at this time.
The patrol rifles carry 20 round magazines and in case wardens have to put down wild animals such as bears or mountain lions, they say the larger rounds really help.
