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‘Why didn’t you call?’: Poaching a problem year-round
Deer season may be over, but poaching season is year-round.
Two juvenile bald eagles shot. Five deer illegally taken in one evening. These are just seven of too many poaching losses in West Central Indiana alone.
“Conservation Officers can’t be everywhere,” says Indiana Conservation Officer Max Winchell.
Winchell, a 26-year veteran of the Department of Natural Resources Division of Law Enforcement, always appreciates tips on violations.
“The fresher the information, the better,” Winchell says.
“It doesn’t take that much to damage the resources,” says Winchell. “Not that long ago, there were no deer or turkeys here. There used to be bears in Indiana. Bears are no longer here because there were no hunting laws.”
Parke County has become well-known for deer hunting in recent years. Winchell makes non-resident arrests from people all over the United States, for all kinds of violations.
“People think opening day of deer season is the busiest day of the year for me. If nobody calls it’s not my busiest day.”
Winchell says he’ll see someone in January, two months later, who says they didn’t call about a violation because they thought he was busy.
“I wasn’t busy because you didn’t call,” he tells them.
“Wildlife belongs to all of us. If you know and don’t do your part, the resource isn’t going to be protected,” Winchell says. “People don’t take the time to call and report a violation. Generally it’s somebody they know – they don’t want to turn them in. Poachers are taking from all of us – kids, family, everybody.”
Stopping natural resources violations before they happen allows biologists, resource managers and others to protect and manage Indiana’s fish and wildlife populations.
Poaching robs recreational activities from each citizen of Indiana. Poachers plan how not to get caught, know which taxidermists won’t ask questions about an illegally harvested deer, who’ll drive a get-away vehicle, where to hide evidence. They cheat everyone out of hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities.
“Do your part in policing our natural resources,” says Winchell. “You can help what you believe in by using the TIP line.”
TIP (Turn in a Poacher, Inc.) works with Indiana DNR Law Enforcement by encouraging the public support to bring violators to justice.
If you see, hear or learn about a poacher or fish and wildlife violation, all 1-800-TIP-IDNR or submit a TIP online at https://www.in.gov/dnr/lawenfor/7608.htm. TIPs that lead to arrests may receive a reward of up to $200. You can remain anonymous.
