Memorial Day Office Closure
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offices will be closed for the state holiday, Monday, May 25. To honor military members for their service CPW offers active duty military and veteran benefits to enjoy fishing, hunting and state parks.
Poaching is the illegal taking or possession of any game, fish or nongame wildlife. Poachers are criminals and should be dealt with as such. Poachers kill for the thrill of killing, to lash out at wildlife laws, or for profit. They kill wildlife any way, time and place they can. Poaching rings can be well organized and extremely profitable.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers two reward programs for individuals who report poaching. The reporting parties may not receive both a Turn In Poacher reward and a cash Operation Game Thief reward for the same incident.
2,400
reports of poaching since 1981
700
convictions from reports
$600,000
in fines from convictions
$130,000
in rewards have been paid to citizens who reported suspected illegal activity
The unauthorized transplanting or stocking of fish into any body of water is illegal. This includes live bait or aquarium fish. It causes severe damage to public fisheries, harms the environment and is highly unethical.
The Turn in Poachers program allows people who turn in poachers to receive preference points or even licenses in some cases. This program is only for reports of illegal take or possession or willful destruction of bear, deer, elk, moose, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, pronghorn or turkey.
In order to be eligible for the license or point rewards, the reporting party must be willing to testify. In all cases the reporting party must otherwise be eligible to receive the license, including meeting hunter education requirements and not being under suspension.
Operation Game Thief is a Colorado Parks and Wildlife program that pays rewards to citizens who turn in poachers. Report poaching anonymously to Operation Game Thief. Callers do not have to reveal their names or testify in court.
If a poacher is arrested or issued a citation on the basis of information provided by a caller, a reward is authorized. Rewards will be paid only if the informant states that a reward is desired prior to any investigation.
A Citizens Committee administers the reward fund, which is maintained by private contributions. Rewards can be paid in cash and the pay-off is arranged to protect the anonymity of the caller.
You can help stop poaching. If you see a poaching incident, report it. Please specify which type of reward you are interested in (Operation Game Thief or Turn In Poachers). The reporting parties may not receive both a Turn in Poachers reward and a cash Operation Game Thief reward for the same incident.
Call us toll-free within Colorado at 1-877-COLO-OGT (Verizon cell phone users can dial #OGT)
Operation Game Thief has partnered with the free Hunt Regs App to provide the public with a simple and anonymous way to report hunting and fishing violations. Reports are automatically routed to OGT dispatchers and wildlife officers for the area who are available 24/7/365 ensuring issues are addressed quickly and effectively.
Remember, try to get the information to us as soon as possible. When reporting a poaching incident, provide as much information as you can. Essential information includes:
Operation Game Thief is successful, in part, because people like you get involved in the effort to protect wildlife. You can help by reporting poaching or by donating to the cause. Donations to help fund the rewards that citizens receive when reporting suspected illegal activity. Contribute today and help stop the harmful and costly practice of poaching in Colorado.
