From Law to the Land: A Game Warden’s Journey to Trust and Turkeys in Idaho

The first morning of the hunt was one Scott Dalebout won’t soon forget.
“Holy cow, the first morning we killed two giant gobblers,” he laughed. “I killed a Merriam, and then we started walking back down the trail and called in a Rio. My brother-in-law dropped that one.”

The retired Utah game warden still tells the story with the same thrill of that Idaho sunrise — the echo of gobbles rolling over the green hills, the satisfaction of patience rewarded, and the gratitude of being on a piece of land that just felt right.

Finding New Ground

Scott lives in Cedar City, Utah, where public land stretches for miles and game laws are second nature. For decades, his job was to uphold those laws — a wildlife officer making sure others played by the rules. But when retirement came, Scott found himself craving the same things he’d always protected: open land, good people, and the thrill of the hunt.

“I’ve wanted to hunt in other states for years,” he said. “But I was always a little wary. The laws and rules can be tricky, and on private land, you never really know what kind of experience you’re going to get.”

Then Scott found LandTrust.

His first experience, a Nebraska turkey hunt booked through the platform, set the hook. “Everyone was so welcoming,” he said. “If this is the kind of folks LandTrust works with, I thought, then I’m in.”

Rolling Hills and Ponderosa Pines

For his next adventure, Scott and his brother-in-law set their sights on Hasselstrom Farms in northern Idaho — a property of rolling meadows, ponderosa pine, and wide-open skies.

“I love that kind of forest,” he said. “It’s just beautiful country. We parked our little trailer right on the edge of the trees overlooking a green meadow. The sunsets were incredible.”

When they arrived, landowner Eric Hasselstrom took them on a quick tour, showing where the birds tended to hang out. It didn’t take long to find them — and it didn’t take long to realize they wouldn’t be easy.

“They’re smart,” Scott laughed. “They don’t get a lot of pressure, but they get enough. Calling really did the trick. The first morning, boom, two big toms. And the rest of the trip, we played cat and mouse with a few more. That challenge is what I love most.”

No decoys. No crowds. Just the game, the land, and the satisfaction of earning every encounter.

A Hunter’s Code

For someone who spent a lifetime enforcing rules, Scott appreciates the order and respect that LandTrust helps maintain on private ground.

“With LandTrust, you’re in an environment where landowners absolutely love you being there,” he said. “They’re making a little money to help with their operation, and you don’t have to worry about competition or conflicts. Everyone’s just happy to be out there.”

He’s seen what can go wrong when that mutual respect breaks down. That’s why, to him, LandTrust represents something bigger — not just a service, but a bridge.

“If we could make LandTrust the model for how hunters and landowners connect — especially across the West — it would be total success from my point of view.”

Brothers in Service

Scott’s hunting partner, and brother-in-law, is a retired deputy sheriff from northern Utah. Between the two of them, they’ve seen every kind of situation a badge can bring. But these days, their shared mission is a little different: to enjoy the outdoors, reconnect, and chase a few wary birds while they’re at it.

“We see things differently because of our backgrounds,” Scott said. “So being on private land where everything’s clear and comfortable — that’s huge for us. It lets us just focus on the hunt and the experience.”

More Than a Hunt

For Scott, the Idaho trip was more than another notch on the turkey vest. It was a reminder of why he loves the outdoors — and what happens when people work together to preserve it.

“LandTrust brings two groups together that have always needed each other — hunters and landowners,” he said. “And when both sides respect each other, it’s just good for everyone.”

He’s already thinking about going back to Idaho, maybe for whitetail deer next time. And if he can check a few more states off his list — Wyoming, Montana, maybe even a Gould’s in Mexico — that’s just a bonus.

Trust, Connection, and the Future of the Hunt

As LandTrust founder Nick De Castro often says, trust is in our name for a reason.
This whole model depends on it — the handshake between host and guest, the shared respect for the land, and the understanding that great experiences come from great relationships.

Scott’s story embodies exactly that. It’s about more than a pair of gobblers or a weekend in the pines. It’s about connection — to the land, to the people who care for it, and to the shared values that keep the outdoor tradition alive.

“Connection, challenge, and moments that stick with you long after the hunt.”

That’s the LandTrust way.

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