Make the call to catch poachers

With some hunting seasons underway and more opening soon, Idaho Fish and Game ask you call the Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) hotline if you witness a violation of wildlife laws.

Program the number into the contacts into your phone: (800) 632-5999.

“The public plays a critical role in catching poachers stealing game and fish from Idaho citizens,” said Idaho Fish and Game Assistant Chief of Enforcement Chris Wright. “Those who ‘Make the Call’ help us detect and solve cases that in many circumstances, we wouldn’t otherwise be able to.”

You can report wildlife law violations anonymously, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Cash rewards are available to callers who provide information leading to the citation of suspected wildlife law violators.

Rewards are:

$200 for birds, fish and general violations $300 for most big game animals and wild turkey $600 for trophy species such as bighorn sheep, mountain goat, grizzly, moose and caribou

In special circumstances, these amounts can be higher.

Each year, CAP receives an average of 600 calls from the public, which results in an average of 150 citations issued and $20,000 paid in rewards. In 2018, CAP paid out $27,100 in rewards.

Those who report a wildlife violation are encouraged to note as complete a description as possible of people and vehicles involved, as well as report it as quickly as possible.

“The more detailed information you provide and the quicker your report it, the more likely a poacher will get caught,” Wright said. “License plate numbers are extremely useful, as well as exact location, time and a description of the suspects.”

Anyone with information about suspected poaching activity is encouraged to call the CAP hotline at 1-800-632-5999, report it online or contact your local Fish and Game office.