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SALT LAKE CITY — With hoards of people expected to travel across the state this weekend for the start of the general hunting season, state wildlife officials are asking hunters to keep a vigilant eye out for poachers and report any suspicious activity they might see to help catch those violating hunting laws.
That’s because Utah hunters will well outnumber the few dozen wildlife district officers in the state, Division of Wildlife Resources Capt. Mitch Lane said. On top of that, the division is often busy with multiple poaching cases or other tasks throughout the year.
“We need all the eyes and ears out there that we can get just to help us do our job, which is to protect and serve the wildlife for the (residents) of the state — hunters and non-hunters alike,” he said. “This time of the year, with all the hunters being in the field, it’s just helping us serve them.”
Lane is encouraging hunters to report anything they see that is a known violation of the rules to state wildlife officials, though he added anything that may seem out of the ordinary may also be reported for officials to sort out.
There are several ways hunters can do this. The division has a 24-hour tip line 1-800-662-DEER (3337), which is printed on all hunting and fishing licenses. Tips can also be given by email to turninapoacher@utah.gov or by social media on the division’s Facebook or Twitter accounts.
Basic information Lane said would be helpful includes the location of the possible offense, description of individual involved, numbers of people, license plate information, vehicle descriptions and direction of travel.
“We’re happy to look into stuff and have it turn out to be nothing, as opposed to not get information on something that could possibly be a case and just not ever hear about it,” he said.
It’s another example of thinking outside the box as wildlife authorities are trying to crack down on poaching and other hunting offenses. Last month, the division used a robotic deer decoy in southern Utah to try to find poachers. It’s a tactic they’ve used periodically in the past.
Lane said serious poaching crimes in Utah are on the decline, though they do still continue. With the rifle buck deer hunt season set to begin Saturday, wildlife officials are hoping they are able to catch those responsible for breaking hunting laws, especially as it turns to the public for help.
“While you’re enjoying time in the outdoors this fall and winter, please be observant. If you see something that doesn’t seem right, please let us know,” he said.
