Digest

The episode delves into the disappearance of Hosea Sarber, an Alaskan Game Warden who vanished in 1952. The host, Dylia Deambre, highlights the difficulty in finding information about Sarber due to limited online resources and the age of available newspaper articles. The episode details the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, including his last known sighting on July 28, 1952, when he departed a patrol boat in a small skiff. His boat was later found drifting near Rowan Bay, with his belongings undisturbed but no sign of him. The episode describes the extensive search efforts for Sarber, involving multiple agencies and individuals, but no trace of him was found. The challenging terrain and waterways where he disappeared are also discussed. The episode explores Sarber's background, highlighting his experience as a hunting guide and his later career as a game warden. He was known for his expertise in firearms and his dedication to enforcing wildlife laws. The episode examines the possibility of foul play in Sarber's disappearance, considering the lack of his body and the abandoned firearms in his boat. Potential motives, including disgruntled hunters and the possibility of a confrontation with poachers, are discussed. The episode details Sarber's strict enforcement of wildlife laws, which led to numerous arrests of poachers and violators. His dedication to conservation and his confrontational approach may have made him a target. The episode explains the practice of relocating deer for repopulation purposes and how poachers often violated the regulations by hunting these animals before they could reproduce. Sarber's efforts to enforce these regulations may have contributed to animosity towards him. The episode discusses the potential threat of Alaskan brown bears in the area where Sarber disappeared, providing examples of bear attacks on humans and wildlife officers. The episode explores the challenges faced by the Fish and Wildlife Service in controlling wolf populations in the region, describing the use of poison bait and trapping to reduce wolf numbers. It also mentions other predators, such as wolves, that could have posed a threat to Sarber. The episode emphasizes the lack of evidence supporting the theory of a bear or wolf attack and explores alternative theories, such as a disgruntled hunter or a confrontation with poachers, as possible explanations for Sarber's disappearance. The episode recounts a specific incident where Sarber and his colleagues arrested three men for illegally killing deer, highlighting the potential for violence in Sarber's line of work. The episode discusses rumors of an early salmon season opening and how Sarber's strict enforcement of fishing regulations may have angered fishermen and canneries. His last known location near a cannery adds to the speculation that he may have been targeted. The episode concludes by acknowledging that the mystery of Hosea Sarber's disappearance remains unsolved. It highlights the various theories and the lack of definitive answers. The episode also emphasizes Sarber's legacy as a dedicated conservationist and his posthumous recognition for his contributions to wildlife protection.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Disappearance of Hosea Sarber

This episode investigates the mysterious disappearance of Alaskan Game Warden Hosea Sarber in 1952, exploring the circumstances surrounding his last known sighting, the extensive search efforts, and the challenging terrain where he vanished.

00:06:46

Sarber's Background and Potential Motives

The episode delves into Sarber's background as a hunting guide and game warden, highlighting his expertise in firearms and his dedication to enforcing wildlife laws. It explores the possibility of foul play, considering the lack of his body and the abandoned firearms in his boat, and discusses potential motives, including disgruntled hunters and confrontations with poachers.

00:16:58

Theories and Unresolved Mystery

The episode examines various theories surrounding Sarber's disappearance, including bear attacks, wolf encounters, and potential confrontations with poachers. It emphasizes the lack of evidence supporting some theories and explores alternative explanations. The episode concludes by acknowledging the unsolved nature of the case and highlighting Sarber's legacy as a dedicated conservationist.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are the circumstances surrounding Hosea Sarber's disappearance?

  Hosea Sarber, an Alaskan Game Warden, was last seen on July 28, 1952, departing a patrol boat in a small skiff. His boat was later found drifting near Rowan Bay, with his belongings undisturbed but no sign of him.

• What are some of the theories about what happened to Hosea Sarber?

  Theories include a heart attack, a bear or wolf attack, a confrontation with poachers, or a deliberate act of murder by a disgruntled hunter.

• What evidence supports the possibility of foul play in Sarber's disappearance?

  The lack of Sarber's body, the abandoned firearms in his boat, and his history of confronting poachers raise suspicions of foul play.

• How did Hosea Sarber's strict enforcement of wildlife laws impact his relationships with others?

  Sarber's dedication to conservation and his confrontational approach to enforcing wildlife laws may have made him a target of resentment from poachers and those who violated regulations.

• What is the significance of the relocation of deer and the role of poachers in this practice?

  The relocation of deer for repopulation purposes was a common practice, but poachers often violated regulations by hunting these animals before they could reproduce. Sarber's efforts to enforce these regulations may have contributed to animosity towards him.

• What is the legacy of Hosea Sarber?

  Sarber is remembered as a dedicated conservationist and a strict enforcer of wildlife laws. He was posthumously honored for his contributions to wildlife protection in Alaska.

Show Notes