Make the Call

It is early morning, hunting season is in full swing and the local conservation officer has to decide where to spend his or her work efforts in the large area each officer patrols.

This is an every day decision all Idaho conservation officers face. The hard part is knowing the officer cannot cover the entire patrol area in one day, or even several days. In a perfect world, conservation officers would cover every square inch of their patrol areas, know every activity that is occurring, and catch every poacher poaching.

Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers can't do it all by themselves. With about 1,000 square miles per officer to cover, they have come to rely on help from the public.

One way officers get tips and reports is through the Citizens Against Poaching hotline. The toll-free telephone is staffed 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for cash rewards if the information leads to a citation or a warrant.

Officials encourage anyone who hears about or sees a wildlife crime or suspicious activity to "make the call." Callers should try to provide as much information as possible, such as specific time and location and descriptions of individuals and vehicles and license numbers.

The CAP program is more than 25 years old and has been successful because of the help of the public. So, please continue to help. Whether you hunt, fish, photograph, or enjoy Idaho's scenery, "make the call" to protect Idaho and catch poachers stealing from the rest of us.

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