CAP Extends Hours

Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) is preparing for another busy autumn. As the hunting season gears up, so do the number of poaching reports so CAP is extending phone line hours during the 2004 hunting season. CAP operators will now be taking calls on weeknights and weekends to accommodate this increase. The toll free number is 1-800-632-5999 and callers can remain anonymous. If callers reach the number at times when an operator is not available, they should leave a detailed message. Steve Anderson, a CAP operator, encourages individuals concerned about suspicious activities to call the CAP line with as many details as possible. "If it's questionable, the things they need to look for are obvious, who's doing what, where they are doing it, when they are doing it, and--if they have a vehicle--what kind of vehicle it is." CAP needs to know where the incident took place, such as the nearest town, so the right officer can be dispatched. Vehicle license numbers are important. That information is forwarded to a Fish and Game enforcement officer for investigation. If the tip proves to be accurate and the officer writes a citation, the caller can be paid a reward. The group awards an average of $18,000 every year for tips on crimes involving wildlife. Rewards up to $100 are given for information on small game, bird, fish, furbearers and license violations and $250 rewards are available for tips on deer, elk, antelope, bear or mountain lion violations. Up to $500 rewards are given for bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose, grizzly bear, caribou and white sturgeon violations. Citizens Against Poaching is a private organization funded by citizens established to promote the ethical use of wildlife resources.