Indiana Citizens can help put an end to poaching

[Woody Williams]

Indiana Citizens can help put an end to poaching

........using their newly update TIP program.

Indiana Conservation Officers are encouraging citizens to partner with the Turn in a Poacher (T.I.P) program and become active in putting an end to poaching.

T.I.P. is a non-profit organization that originated in 1983 for the purpose of paying rewards to promote public involvement and assistance to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement effort. TIP is administered by a citizen’s advisory board consisting of members that represent many different sportsmen organizations.

“Concerned citizens are the main reason why Indiana TIP has been successful in fighting against poaching and bringing justice to those who violate Fish and Wildlife laws”, said TIP citizen’s advisory board President Joe Cales. “Poaching affects us all”.

Since 2011 TIP has received1,388 tips and has paid $13,100 in rewards for tips that have led to the arrest of a suspect. TIP was instrumental in funding the beginning of the nationally recognized K-9 resource protection program for the Indiana DNR Law Enforcement Division.

“The Turn in a Poacher organization and its members continue to be a great supporter of the mission of the DNR Law Enforcement Division”, said Director Danny East. “Our success is greatly increased by the support of our citizens and sportsmen organizations”.

Interested citizens may join TIP by visiting their website at www.in.gov/dnr/lawenfor/2745.htm

To report Fish and Wildlife violations and remain anonymous citizens are encouraged to use the TIP line by calling 1-800-TIP-IDNR.

[drs]

Had a couple incidents of Deer Poaching on my property, since living here. I reported it but the CO's didn't even care as not one of the even responded. I just left a recorded message describing the two Poachings, but never received a call back. Kentucky has a very poor record regarding poaching cases.

[raymar]

I actually dis use the tip line this labor day as I witnessed two late teen shoot two mallards in front of me while fishing. It took awhile for the co to respond as they had to come from a neighboring county. That is often the case as they did eventually call to confirm they had arrived and I was able to talk to them when leaving . They did not report what they had done only that they handled it. I felt bad that the young men were turned in but they showed no regrets as the took a boat around me to retrieve them. I was young too and hopefully this taught them to respect our resources before it leads to more.
My wife is a dispatcher and often there is limited resources to investigate but they do respond. It may be from another area or at a later time. Our co's handle a lot more than justgame violations. It is our duty to help them out and try to provide as much info as possible. Like with all crime some will get away with it but some don't.

[huntingchick19]

Hmmmmm.... I do find this interesting. I have reported people several times for running deer with dogs, baiting and poaching deer on my side of the property line. on the bait I had pictures to prove it as their leasing a family members land to hunt that borders ours. Nothing has ever been done. I guess its good to be that particular family in Jackson county.

[drs]

It actually seems that Conservation Officers are more & more used to "bust" Meth Manufacturing places, out in the rural area.  This should be the job for Narcotics Division of the State Police, with CO's enforcing Fish & Game laws.

[schall53]

Two years ago I found a stand on the neighboring land with a salt block 15 yds. in front of it on my land. I call the CO who came out and I showed him the spot. He said he would keep an eye on it or to call him if I saw anyone there. I could see the stand from the house. I called him 4 different times when it was being hunted and never saw a single person. The next time I took care of it myself with some serious *** chewing, that worked.

[drs]

Oct 31, 2014 7:22:49 GMT -5 schall53 said:

Two years ago I found a stand on the neighboring land with a salt block 15 yds. in front of it on my land. I call the CO who came out and I showed him the spot. He said he would keep an eye on it or to call him if I saw anyone there. I could see the stand from the house. I called him 4 different times when it was being hunted and never saw a single person. The next time I took care of it myself with some serious *** chewing, that worked.

Yeah,  I had to take matters into my own hands when I found an individual hunting on my land with a .30-06 Rifle during our December M/L rifle ONLY season three years ago.

I was setting in my stand when I heard a shot, thought it was my neighbor.  So after about 45 minutes without seeing anything; I  decided to go back to my stand in the woods.  This is where I ran across this trespasser/hunter, who was holding a .30-06 rifle.  I told him that this season, only M/L's can be used and he was trespassing on my land.  I let him know in the tone of my voice that I was very angry, and asked him if he knew it was M/L's ONLY during the December late Deer firearm season.  Also I let him know I didn't tolerate game violators or trespassers on mine or anyone's property.  He then told me that he though he hit a Doe and it ran on my property, but he wouldn't show me from where he shot.  Long story short, we didn't recover his Doe and I told him I never want to see him on or near my property again.  Went to my house and called the CO, which was a waste of time.  So a few days later I told my neighbor about what happened and he knew the guy.  My Neighbor, who was very sorry, told this guy he could ONLY hunt when he hunted, which was on Saturdays, and this would never happen again.  He gave me the name of the guy and I reported this guy to the Sheriff's office.  PROBLEM SOLVED!!

[GS1]

Our CO's seem to respond and follow up on reports pretty timely and effectively.

[straubam]

So I am confused u have to be a member to get paid for tip? Also what is considered poaching? Hunting at night hunting over bait? hunting wrong property? That sucks you guys are having that much trouble with co's I guess it pays for one of your friends from high to be a co. Also being friends with a state tropper.

andy

[drs]

Oct 31, 2014 14:13:24 GMT -5 straubam said:

So I am confused u have to be a member to get paid for tip? Also what is considered poaching? Hunting at night hunting over bait? hunting wrong property? That sucks you guys are having that much trouble with co's I guess it pays for one of your friends from high to be a co. Also being friends with a state tropper.

andy

Down where I live, we have only two CO's covering three Counties.  Help from the Sheriff and/or State Police, to catch these criminals, would help curb poaching somewhat. IMO.

[hornzilla]

I had one and one only experience with TIP.
Wouldn't waste my time again.