Poaching Hotline Goes Live 24-7

The Idaho Citizens Against Poaching telephone hotline now is live 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Callers now will get a live voice whenever they call. The number is still 1-800-632-5999. The Citizens Against Poaching program was started in December 1980, receiving its official charter title in January 1981, by concerned individuals under the guidance of Idaho Fish and Game. It was patterned after the New Mexico Operation Game Thief program. Reports of violations through a toll-free telephone number, routes the information to Fish and Game conservation officers for investigation. Rewards are paid if the information supplied is sufficient for a citation or a warrant to be issued. A conviction is not necessary. For the past 20 years, Fish and Game has documented 5,582 calls to the CAP hotline, which has generated 1,832 cases, and 3,449 citations. Successful prosecution has resulted in fines totaling $703,578 and civil penalties totaling $594,318. A total of $382,097 in rewards has been paid to callers since 1986. Major funding sources are:

• Donations.
• Controlled hunt fee check-offs.
• Court ordered reimbursements.
• License sales commission on licenses sold at department offices.

CAP is a nonprofit corporation with interested hunters and anglers from around the state serving as regional directors and officers.