Poachers - Just A Phone Call Away

by Mike Demick, Regional Conservation Educator, Lewiston Idaho is over 82,500 square miles of vast forests, high desert plains, pure waters, unique people and places, and a staggering array of wildlife. Although the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) has 115 highly trained and dedicated conservation officers to protect these resources, we ultimately depend on you--hunter, angler or outdoor recreationist--to be our eyes and ears and alert us to criminal activity that robs you of Idaho's treasures. Every year, hundreds of concerned citizens call the Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) Hotline (1-800-632-5999) to report poachers, vandals, and other criminals who have no regard for Idaho's rich wildlife heritage. CAP is a nonprofit corporation funded primarily by voluntary donations from hunters. Through the CAP program, Fish and Game receives and records reports of violations on the toll-free telephone number, routes the information to conservation officers for investigation, and arranges for reward payments. Rewards are available if the information is sufficient for a citation or a warrant to be issued. A conviction is not necessary. The CAP program has been very successful, with rewards set at: $100 for birds, fish, and general violations; $250 for most big game animals; $500 for trophy species such as sheep, goat, and moose, or grizzly and caribou, which are protected species. With CAP directors' approval, reward amounts can be increased in special circumstances. Since 1986, more than 5,300 calls have been received and nearly 3000 citations issued. More than $315,000 in rewards has been paid to concerned citizen informants, with more than 1,600 cases being successfully closed. Informants can remain anonymous if they wish. CAP is dedicated to protecting the identity of informants. This trust, in combination with a reward for accurate information leading to an apprehension, will hopefully encourage cooperation by those who have information and might not otherwise come forward. hen an informant calls the CAP hotline, they will be asked how contact can be made to arrange for follow-up information or to make reward payments. Of course, a successful investigation and prosecution often depends on the timeliness of the call, the amount of good information provided, and people willing to leave a contact phone number. Even if an informant does give us their name it will remain completely confidential unless the informant authorizes its release.