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Here's a TIP: Fight poaching by using DNR's hotline

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 or Polluter.

Poaching can occur when a law-abiding hunter is sitting in a tree stand, waiting for sunrise, and notices a spotlight shining the field from a pickup truck. The truck stops 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 toll-free TIP phone number is 1-800-TIP-IDNR (1-800-847-4367). Complaints also may be filed at tip.IN.gov.

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 or damage to the environment by polluters. Cash rewards are offered for information leading to the arrest of fish and wildlife law violators or polluters.

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. Information provided is investigated by DNR's Indiana Conservation Officers.

There is a $200 cash reward for turning in turkey poachers.