BOISE, Idaho — Over the past year, we've seen quite a few poaching cases throughout the Gem State. That surge in wildlife crime has prompted Idaho Fish and Game to specify what it means to be a "good witness" when reporting poaching incidents.
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As hunting season ramps up across Idaho, Fish and Game officials are reminding hunters and outdoor enthusiasts that protecting wildlife goes beyond following the rules — it also means speaking up when you see them being broken.
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Poaching is a serious threat to Idaho’s natural resources and the integrity of legal, ethical hunting. But concerned citizens can play a crucial role in helping conservation officers catch violators and build strong cases that hold them accountable.
Conservation Officer Sam Oberto emphasizes the critical role hunters play in wildlife protection across Idaho's vast terrain.
"I'm one officer and I have 2,900 square miles," Oberto told Idaho News 6. "I have a huge area to cover, so I rely a lot on my sportsmen and women out there when they're out in the field to let me know when something is wrong."
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If you witness what looks like illegal hunting or suspicious activity in the field, your most important tools are your eyes, your memory, and your phone. Reports can be made anonymously 24/7 through the Citizens Against Poaching hotline at (800) 632-5999, or submitted online.
To help investigators act quickly and effectively, officials recommend gathering the following details — only if it's safe to do so:
- Vehicle information: License plate number, make, model, color, and any distinctive features
- Exact location: GPS coordinates or a dropped pin on a mapping app
- Wildlife involved: What species or animal was affected
- Photo or video evidence: If safe, take pictures or record the scene
- Suspect description: Clothing, appearance, behavior, or any identifying traits
Idaho Fish and Game says to remember that your safety is the top priority, so don't ever confront a suspected poacher directly.
Oberto stressed the importance of protecting Idaho's wildlife resources for all residents.
"What makes America so great is our model of conservation that all folks get to hunt— whether they're poor, they're middle class, or they're wealthy— and when any of those resources are taken from those people, it's an opportunity taken from the people of Idaho," Oberto said.
Hunters are encouraged to check local regulations before heading into the field when the general big game season begins on October 10.
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