How One Call from the Field Can Stop a Wildlife Crime
Poaching is the illegal taking of wildlife and ranks among the most egregious of wildlife crimes. Yet research estimates that only 4% of poaching incidents are detected.
That’s why RMEF is helping bring greater attention to poaching—sharing cases, raising awareness and giving hunters the information they need to recognize and report suspicious activity.
Conservation officers work every day to investigate wildlife crimes, but they can’t be everywhere. Hunters and others in the field can help close that gap. What you see, hear or document could provide the information officers need to investigate a case and hold a poacher accountable.
Know what to look for. Know what information matters. When something doesn’t look right, be prepared and SPEAK UP.
KNOW WHAT TO DO
Hunters, anglers, landowners and others who spend time in the field may be the first to witness suspicious activity or discover evidence of a wildlife crime. Your mobile device can be an important tool in helping hold poachers accountable. A photo, license plate, vehicle description, GPS location or even a few notes taken at the right time can provide officers with valuable information to investigate a case. If something doesn’t look right, stay safe, pay attention and remember three things: observe, document and report.
BE PREPARED. SAVE YOUR STATES TIPLINE IN YOUR PHONE.
| STATE | AGENCY | POACHING HOTLINE |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources | 800-272-4263 |
| Alaska | Alaska Department of Fish & Game | 800-478-3377 |
| Arizona | Arizona Game & Fish Department | 800-352-0700 |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Game & Fish Commission | 833-356-0824 |
| California | California Department of Fish & Wildlife | 888-334-2258 |
| Colorado | Colorado Parks & Wildlife | 877-265-6648 |
| Connecticut | Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection | 800-842-4357 |
| Delaware | Delaware DNREC, Division of Fish & Wildlife | 800-292-3030 |
| Florida | Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission | 888-404-3922 |
| Georgia | Georgia Department of Natural Resources | 800-241-4113 |
| Hawaii | Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources | 808-587-0077 |
| Idaho | Idaho Department of Fish & Game | 800-632-5999 |
| Illinois | Illinois Department of Natural Resources | 877-236-7529 |
| Indiana | Indiana Department of Natural Resources | 800-847-4367 |
| Iowa | Iowa Department of Natural Resources | 800-532-2020 |
| Kansas | Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks | 877-426-3843 |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources | 800-252-5378 |
| Louisiana | Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries | 800-442-2511 |
| Maine | Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife | 800-253-7887 |
| Maryland | Maryland Department of Natural Resources | 800-635-6124 |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts Environmental Police | 800-632-8075 |
| Michigan | Michigan Department of Natural Resources | 800-292-7800 |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources | 800-652-9093 |
| Mississippi | Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks | 800-237-6278 |
| Missouri | Missouri Department of Conservation | 800-392-1111 |
| Montana | Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks | 800-847-6668 |
| Nebraska | Nebraska Game & Parks Commission | 800-742-7627 |
| Nevada | Nevada Department of Wildlife | 800-992-3030 |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire Fish & Game Department | 800-344-4262 |
| New Jersey | New Jersey Fish & Wildlife | 855-648-8477 |
| New Mexico | New Mexico Department of Wildlife | 800-432-4263 |
| New York | New York State Department of Environmental Conservation | 844-332-3267 |
| North Carolina | N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission | 800-662-7137 |
| North Dakota | North Dakota Game & Fish Department | 701-328-9921 |
| Ohio | Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife | 800-762-2437 |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation | 800-522-8039 |
| Oregon | Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife | 800-452-7888 |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Game Commission | 833-742-9453 |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island DEM, Division of Law Enforcement | 401-222-3070 |
| South Carolina | South Carolina Department of Natural Resources | 800-922-5431 |
| South Dakota | South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks | 888-683-7224 |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency |
Region I:
800-831-1173
Region II:
800-255-8972
Region III:
833-402-4699
Region IV:
800-831-1174
|
| Texas | Texas Parks & Wildlife Department | 800-792-4263 |
| Utah | Utah Division of Wildlife Resources | 800-662-3337 |
| Vermont | Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department | 800-752-5378 |
| Virginia | Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources | 800-237-5712 |
| Washington | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife | 877-933-9847 |
| West Virginia | West Virginia Division of Natural Resources | 844-484-7367 |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources | 800-847-9367 |
| Wyoming | Wyoming Game & Fish Department | 877-943-3847 |
Latest Poaching Cases
KEEPING POACHERS ON NOTICE
State wildlife agencies and conservation officers investigate wildlife crimes, but awareness can help extend their reach. RMEF uses its media and social channels to amplify investigations, requests for information and convictions, and in select cases, offers or contributes reward money for information that leads to an arrest or conviction.
With support from Fiocchi Ammunition and [PARTNER], RMEF can put these cases in front of more hunters and encourage those who witness suspicious activity to speak up.
Because poachers count on people looking the other way.
SEE IT. REPORT IT. CALL IT IN.