Bringing justice to a poacher or polluter in Indiana doesn’t involve just a phone call, anymore; it can be done with a few computer keystrokes or a quick text message. Poachers and indiscriminate polluters in Indiana are now coming under attack not only by telephone calls but also by computer and telephone text messaging.

For decades, Indiana’s Turn-In-a-Poacher/Polluter Program (TIP) has been based on citizens and hunters phoning in tips to help corral and convict poachers and polluters of Indiana’s natural resources. Hoosiers have reported thousands of suspected incidents to the TIP Hotline at 800-TIP-IDNR (847-4367), resulting in many arrests.

The TIP Hotline is still in effect, but the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has expanded communications in the ongoing battle against poachers and polluters in the 21st century. Incidents of poaching and polluting may now be reported online at www.tip.IN.gov or sent by telephone text to the IDNR at TIP411 (847-411). 

Both new options give the opportunity to tell TIP what you wish to report, and where the violation is taking place. Your text message, email reports and telephone tips with TIP are always totally anonymous.

If you hear gunshots late at night, find a baited area while hunting, observe wildlife parts discarded in a field or see someone illegally running nets in the river, call the TIP Hotline, text TIP411 or fill out a complaint online. It’s quick and simple to report a violation.

All information is held in strict confidence, and the complaint will be anonymous. Even the smallest piece of information might be a missing link leading to the arrest of poachers who are abusing a sport or recreation resource.

The Turn in a Poacher or Polluter Program rewards up to $200 for information leading to the arrest of fish and wildlife violators or polluters. All rewards are paid by TIP, Inc., a not-for-profit organization comprised of Indiana sporting groups. (TIP, Inc. is the 501(c)3 organization funding program operations and overseeing the payment of rewards. Part of the funding effort includes the annual TIP Fundraising Banquet.)

The Turn in a Poacher or Polluter Program is a joint effort between the sportsmen and sportswomen of Indiana, concerned citizens and the DNR. The goal is to provide a quick and easy way to report poachers and polluters.

Poachers are thieves who steal from honest Hoosier sportsmen and sportswomen or outdoor enthusiasts. Poaching is the illegal killing, possession or destruction of habitat of Indiana’s fish, game or non-game wildlife. Licensed, ethical hunters know the rules and play by them; poachers may know the rules, but don’t play by them.

Hunting seasons increase the likelihood law-abiding hunters will encounter poaching, which is the illegal taking of fish, game or non-game wildlife.  Anyone can use the TIP hotline, text or computer, but hunters are more likely to witness violations afield.

When hunters encounter poaching in the field, DNR law enforcement urges the use of the TIP Hotline or text option to immediately file a complaint. A typical poaching situation may occur when a law-abiding hunter is sitting in a tree stand waiting for sunrise (the legal time to shoot), notices a pickup truck and sees someone shining a field with a spotlight. The truck stops – and shots ring out through the darkness.

“True sportsmen have an ethical responsibility to report this violation,” said Lt. William Browne, DNR Division of Law Enforcement. “Poachers are thieves, and some estimates indicate poachers illegally kill and take as much fish and game as legal hunters and licensed fishermen do.”

All information is held in strict confidence, and informants’ names are never released. Videotapes or signed confessions are not required for successful prosecution of poachers. Citizens who provide TIP with information are never required to testify in court or reveal their identities. All confidential information will be reviewed and investigated by Indiana conservation officers.

Remember … see a suspected violation, call, text or go online. Poachers and polluters, beware!

Indiana conservation officers have closed the investigation of a hunter’s death at Chain O’Lakes State Park, after the Noble County Coroner’s office ruled the death was due to a lacerated liver, possibly from an encounter the hunter had with a deer he shot.

Paul J. Smith, 62, of Fort Wayne, died Nov. 14 while participating in the deer reduction hunt at Chain O’Lakes. According to Conservation Cpl. Erick Bolt of DNR Law Enforcement, Smith called his son shortly after 9 a.m. and left a voice message that he’d shot a buck.

When Smith’s son returned the call around 10:30, Smith told him after descending from his tree stand to field dress and tag the deer, he discovered the deer was still alive. Smith told his son he scuffled with the deer before killing it with a knife.

Bolt said Smith called park officials by cell phone at about 12:30 p.m. to request help in transporting a deer to the reduction hunt check-in station. A park employee who went to retrieve the deer found Smith unconscious and seated against a tree and relayed Smith’s condition to park officials.

Chain O’Lakes Property Manager Sam Boggs and Indiana Conservation Officer Darren Reed immediately responded. Reed was off-duty but at the park participating in the deer reduction hunt. They attempted to revive Smith with a portable defibrillator, but got no response.

They initiated CPR until EMS first responders arrived and pronounced Smith dead at the scene. The coroner’s autopsy revealed lacerations on Smith’s liver were common with internal bruising.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Jack Spaulding may contact him by e-mail at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.