For Immediate Release:

GAME AND FISH APPRECIATES PUBLIC’S HELP WITH POACHING INVESTIGATIONS

CHEYENNE –The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) is actively seeking information from the public about poaching crimes this fall. The help game wardens receive from people across Wyoming is extremely beneficial in solving crimes against the state’s wildlife.

Game and Fish’s increased outreach on poaching incidents has raised questions through social media and other channels as to whether there has been an increase in wildlife crimes. The Game and Fish Department does not believe that is the case this year.

“Through the Stop Poaching tip line and through direct communication with wardens, Wyoming hunters, anglers and people who recreate in the outdoors are valuable sources of information for the Game and Fish Department in many ways,” said Brian Nesvik, WGFD chief game warden. “We appreciate the help and know we couldn’t do our jobs without this partnership.”

2014 poaching report figures will be available in coming months, but it is believed there is not an increase in poaching this year.

“So far in 2014, we have had several incidents that we need help from the public to solve, so we have been more active seeking tips,” Nesvik said. “We are also using additional ways to communicate, like social media and direct emails to the public. I think it is more noticeable that we are looking for assistance and that is good news. In past years, several of these poaching incidents were successfully prosecuted and probably would have gone unsolved without the public’s help.”

Nesvik adds that typically there are more reports of poaching when rifle hunting seasons get rolling each September and October – due to an influx of hunters afield.

“The vast majority of hunters are law abiding and have tremendous respect for wildlife,” said Nesvik, who has 20 years of wildlife law enforcement experience.”There are unfortunately a few folks who display bad judgment and ethics and violate Wyoming’s hunting laws and regulations. Sometimes that is done unintentionally, while other times it is done with disregard for Wyoming’s wildlife resource and proud hunting heritage.”

Wyoming Game and Fish encourages anyone with information about potential wildlife crimes, even if it is second hand, to pleasecall the Stop Poaching Hotline at (877) WGFD-TIP or text keyword WGFD and message to TIP411 or report the violation online at http://wgfd.wyo.gov. Anyone who reports a poaching incident may be eligible for a cash reward through the Wyoming Wildlife Protectors Association.

-WGFD-

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