Born to The Wild

by Rob Kaye

In Born to the Wild – Journals of a National Park Warden in the Canadian Rockies, former Park Warden Rob Kaye recounts his boyhood adventures growing up in Jasper National Park and his experiences as a warden patrolling the vast mountain wilderness that he called home. Kaye gives a vivid account of wardens' lives in the park. He describes backcountry encounters with wolves, bears, bighorns, and other wildlife, as well as accounts of survival and tales of adversity. Kaye relates heartfelt and humorous stories about the backcountry wardens’ most trusted companions—the riding and pack horses that shared their high country travels. The author’s passion for the preservation and protection of wilderness and wildlife is a theme that runs throughout the book. Kaye invites the reader to ponder the future of our national parks. In reflecting on his career with the Warden Service, he illustrates how the few remaining (and no longer pristine) wild spaces are threatened by over-use, commercial development, habitat loss, and climate change.

Genres: Nonfiction

347 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Rob Kaye – Goodreads

I self-published Born to the Wild in May, 2015. It is now into its 5th printing.

The book received an award in 2016 for Western Canadian Non-fiction from the Independent Publisher Book Awards, the world’s leading book awards recognizing quality independently published books.

Born to the Wild was on The Association of Book Publishers of British Columbia top 10 bestselling list for 11 weeks in 2015-16.

Please visit my website www.robkaye.ca for more details about the book. Be sure to check out the media reviews under “Praise for the Book” and readers’ comments under the “Born to the Wild” and “Author” headings.

Happy trails always,
Rob Kaye

Reviews

[Cynthia Bobocel · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only goal of 2026 was to finish this book. I know it took me 513 days to read, but it was so good. I wish I would have given it a chance when I first started it.

I cannot DNF books and came dangerously close with this one, but I’m so glad I pushed through.

Not my typical read and it felt more like work than leisure. IYKYK.

[Pam Withers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a delight whether you're a regular back-country visitor or an armchair outdoors-lover. It's the story of a national park warden's life, packed with an expert's perspective on wildlife, birdlife, hiking, horse-packing and local lore about the Jasper area. The writing is excellent and the book puts you right there with stories about every kind of outdoor adventure. You live vicariously the life of a horse-packing park warden when life was a little more challenging. Encounters with poachers, bears, forest fires, visitor dynamics, and almost philosophical musings about nature, all with spine-tingling, rich description. It made my day discovering this treasure.

[Pat Buckna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this book at a Wardens concert, put on by the singing group who are all Canadian Park Wardens. Rob Kaye's memoir outlines his career at a warden in Jasper National Park and provides a glimpse at a lifestyle that has now disappeared. I found his details about the park administration, although of importance to him, and reflecting his concerns about the managements of the national parks, to be a bit boring. There were many fascinating parks of the memoir, about encounters he and fellow wardens faced in working in the back country. Highly recommended

[John Lydon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Straightforward and easy to read with some interesting stories about his encounters with wildlife. Reads like a journal, the consequence of which is it can be boring at times and lacks personality.

[Elesa Willies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Rob's book! His love of the wilderness shines through the pages and his diplomatic view of wildlife management is thought provoking. I particularly enjoyed reading of his encounters with wolves and the challenges he faced being immersed in all kinds of weather and situations, where his level head and knowledge were put to the test. I look forward to hearing of your adventures in Australia Rob!

[Derek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great look at Jasper National Park and the Park Warden system from the mid-70s through today. Anyone looking for a followup to Sid Marty's MEN FOR THE MOUNTAINS should check this one out.

[Tyeren Deacon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for those who are backcountry users or are interested in the history of national parks.

[Micah Kneller · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book fronts like it should cover a park wardens 30 yr career in the backcountry when in fact it only accounts for 10.

[Kevin Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book.

While I have not visited most of the locations in which the author spent his career, I have been to some. And it was interesting to learn how things have changed over the decades, especially from someone who has a vested interest in that environment.

The side stories of encounters with wildlife, horse management, and day-to-day life in the mountains were entertaining, and made me laugh at many of them. Others illustrated the reality of human-wildlife contact and how we have made so many mistakes in how we manage the lands we wish to protect, but hopefully have learned enough to preserve them.

I look forward to reading the next book about his experiences at Elk Island National Park, a place I know a bit better and would like to learn more about, from his point of view.

[Carol Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very interesting and enjoyable book to read, especially if you have visited Jasper National Park, but even if you haven't. Rob Kaye was a park warden for many years and relates many of his, and other wardens', adventures in the wilderness of this beautiful and vast place. There are encounters with bears, wolves, and moose, descriptions of stunning beauty and the terrifying power of nature, and some insights into what goes into looking after the wilderness. It is inspiring, sometimes worrisome and discouraging, humorous, hopeful, and, in short, worth reading!

[Clinton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the simple story of a life as a park warden who worked predominately in Jasper National Park. Although this could be told in half the pages, the simple language and slow explanations help remind us to take our time to enjoy life, nature and preserve our relationship with it.

[Joshua Friesen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent discussion on personal experiences with transition of the warden service from general duties in the districts to highly specialized roles such as visitor safety, human/wildlife conflicts, prescribed fire techniques.