Help fight wildlife crime by calling the CAP hotline

Here are three recent examples of how concerned individuals have helped salmon conservation officials detect wildlife crimes:

• Last June, an officer received information about a group of non-resident bear hunters illegally camping near the Seafoam area ranger station northwest of Stanley. As the officer began investigating, some red flags started to go off. The officer made multiple visits to the area to conduct camp surveillance, document bear bait sites, and interview nearby hunters and campers. After collecting evidence, multiple search warrants were issued. In short, the group placed several baits without obtaining permits, and many of the baits were too close to roads. The group harvested three bears and did not complete the Big Game Mandatory Mortality Report (BGMR) on any bear harvested. One hunter even harvested an unmarked bear. Officers recently traveled out of state to conduct additional interviews and issue citations to the group.
• A conservation officer in the Stanley area received an unusual report of two older archery hunters threatening an individual. According to the report, the hunters were driving slowly on the road, and while one of them was driving, the other sat on the bed of the truck holding a bow. The officer contacted the hunters and immediately noticed a small bench in the bed of the truck. After conducting interviews, the two admitted to taking turns riding in the truck and shooting arrows at several deer. Both fishermen were charged. One by hunting from a motor vehicle and the other by aiding in the commission of a misdemeanor.
• Another officer received a report from a witness who observed someone shooting a pronghorn with a .22 rifle during the archery-only season in Unit 36 ​​near Stanley. The witness quickly provided all the important details, even the name and phone number of the suspected shooter. The officer located the hunter, who immediately admitted that he had “shot the fawn to put it out of its misery.” After further questioning, the officer learned that the animal had been struck by an arrow in the lower leg and was running away apparently unharmed. The man was accused of trying to take a longhorn with a rifle during the closing season.

If you witness a wildlife violation, call the Citizens Against Poaching Hotline at 1-800-632-5999, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Cash rewards are available to callers who provide information leading to the issuance of citations.