August 23, 2005

OHIO’S TURN-IN-A-POACHER PROGRAM PROVIDES NEARLY $1,400 IN REWARDS

COLUMBUS, OH - Eight Ohioans recently received a combined $1,362 in rewards for reporting wildlife violations to the Turn-In-a-Poacher (TIP) Hotline of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. As a result of these calls, 22 people were convicted of poaching wildlife, including white-tailed deer and sport fish, and fined a total of $10,780 by Ohio courts.

The TIP program encourages individuals to anonymously report wildlife violations by calling 1-800-POACHER (800-762-2437).

The TIP program is a private, non-profit corporation administered through the Division of Wildlife. Program volunteers, representing the state’s five wildlife districts, meet on a regular basis to review tips received and determine award amounts.

Since the program began in 1982, more than $126,000 has been awarded to callers who provided vital information about state wildlife violations. Those calls helped lead to the arrest and conviction of 1,594 poachers and the collection of $543,919 in fines.

The average TIP call results in the conviction of two wildlife violators and a fine of $341 for those convicted, according to Division of Wildlife records. For each dollar paid in rewards, $4.29 has been returned to the Division of Wildlife for management and enforcement.  

Ohio’s TIP program continues to help curtail wildlife violations across the state. Citizens can help, not only by providing tips, but also by making a donation to the reward fund. Donations can be addressed to: TIP Headquarters, ODNR Division of Wildlife, 2045 Morse Road, Columbus, Ohio 43229-6693.