Hunters Asked to Help Conservation Officers Take Aim at Poachers

Deer poachers take note: That buck in the crosshairs may not be a deer at all, but a decoy used by conservation officers with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to catch people illegally taking deer.

"It’s the firearm deer season and some hunters don’t want to return home empty handed," said Col. Jim Konrad, DNR Enforcement Division director. “Although the vast majority of hunters abide by the rules, there are some who resort to poaching to fill their tag.”

With only 140 field conservation officers across the state, help from law-abiding outdoorsmen and women, as well as the general public, is welcomed.

“If people see suspicious activity, such as a vehicle driving slowly at night shining a spotlight into a forest or field, they should contact a conservation officer or other law enforcement officer with as much detail as possible,” Konrad said.

He suggested noting the time the incident occurred, characteristics about the people involved, the type of vehicle used, the license plate number, and direction they were heading.

Quick notification is also critical.

"People should contact us as soon as possible," Konrad said. "The longer someone waits to report the activity, the less chance we have of stopping it. Almost everyone has cell phones, so we hope they put them to good use."

The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program offers rewards to citizens who report poachers or other resources violations. People can report a violation by calling 800-652-9093, or #TIP on most cell phones.

"The public – hunters and nonhunters – must get involved,” Konrad said. “We all have a vested interest in the wildlife in this state. If we are going to protect wildlife, we must depend on the public to help us to do that.”

Finding a Minnesota conservation officer is just a click away at www.mndnr.gov/officerpatrolareas. Click on the map and a balloon will pop up that shows the officer phone number and state patrol dispatch number.