The deer archery season began on October 1. The DNR asks the public to report people who take animals without a license, out of season, or beyond permitted limits. Joseph Gage / Flickr
Since the early 1980s, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has provided a tip line called “Turn in the Poachers,” or TIP, to report potential wildlife poaching. , that is, the illegal hunting and capture of animals.
Jet Quillen is the public relations captain for Indiana DNR law enforcement.
Quillen said poaching is harmful to the deer population, which is carefully regulated through hunting licenses based on the work of wildlife biologists.
“And when we have people who are breaking the laws and just doing what they want to do, and taking as many of these animals as they want, obviously that can have an adverse effect on that population.”
It’s not just deer – squirrels and fish can be poached too.
In 2021, more than 300 called the TIP line to report the illegal capture of wild animals. After investigation, about 10 percent of them were found to be legitimate, Quillen said.
He said the calls can be anonymous or for rewards.
“The reward right now is $500,” Quillen said. “And that is to successfully complete a case related to the advice that was given.”
If you think you have witnessed poaching, no matter the season, call 1-800-Tip-IDNR or 1-800-847-4367. There is also a tab for turning in poachers on the Indiana DNR police website.
