New TIPs Hotline: 1-888-OVERBAG

PIERRE, S.D.—Life for poachers in South Dakota just got a little more difficult with introduction of a new, easy-to-remember toll-free phone number for the Turn in Poachers hotline.

The new number is 1-888-OVERBAG or 1-888-683-7224.

“We were hearing from the public that the old number was tough to remember,” said Shon Eide, TIPs coordinator for the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department. “Someone might see a wildlife violation, but unless they had a hunting or fishing handbook with them, they might not have ready access to the TIPs number.”

The old number for the TIPs hotline, 1-800-592-5522, will continue to remain in service for awhile. “That number is on plenty of GFP publications,” Eide said, “so it’s going to remain in service as well for awhile.”

Eide noted that the old TIPs hotline number has been getting a workout this fall with more than 120 calls since Oct. 1. “That shows a real willingness on the part of citizens to protect their wildlife resources,” Eide said. “And the TIPs hotline is there to help.”

Citizens who call the TIPs hotline can remain anonymous. Since its inception in 1984 through June of this year, the TIPs program has sparked 7,639 investigations, led to 2,630 arrests and paid $96,440 in rewards.

“People who plunder our wildlife resources are overbagging,” Eide said. “That should make it easy to remember the new TIPs number, 1-888-OVERBAG.”

--GFP—