Here's a TIP: Fight poaching by using hotline

Indiana DNR Release:

While poachers don't wait for legal hunting times, hunting season increases the likelihood that licensed, ethical hunters will encounter poaching, which is the illegal taking of fish, game or non-game wildlife.

When that happens, DNR Law Enforcement urges hunters to use the TIP hotline to file a complaint. TIP is an acronym for Turn in a Poacher. Firearms season for deer runs Nov. 14-29.

A typical poaching situation occurs when a law-abiding hunter is sitting in a tree stand, waiting for sunrise (the legal time to shoot), and notices a spotlight shining the field from a pickup truck. The truck stop and shots ring out through the darkness.

"True sportsmen have an ethical responsibility to report this violation," said Lt. Mark Farmer, public information officer for DNR Division of Law Enforcement. "It is not fair to the honest hunter that a poacher can get away with this illegal method of hunting.

"Poachers are thieves and estimates indicate that poachers kill as much fish and game as legal hunters and fishermen do."

Farmer emphasized that anyone can use the TIP hotline but hunters may be more likely to witness violations.

The TIP program is a joint effort of sportsmen and women, private citizens, and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to help eliminate the illegal taking of Indiana’s fish and wildlife. Cash rewards are offered for information leading to the arrest of fish and wildlife law violators.

Neither videotapes nor signed confessions are required for successful prosecution of poachers. Citizens who provide TIP with information are not required to give their names or testify in court. This information is investigated by Indiana Conservation Officers.

The toll-free TIP phone number is 1-800-TIP-IDNR (1-800-847-4367). Complaints also may be filed at tip.IN.gov.