Help Put the Pinch on Poachers
Source: www.ngpc.state.ne.us
Published: Oct. 10, 2008
Several Nebraska hunting seasons are currently underway and more will open later this month. The vast majority of permit holders are honest, ethical, conscientious hunters who follow the state's game laws and hunt responsibly and safely.
Unfortunately, there are also people out there with guns who commit game law violations. However, it is an error to identify them as "hunters," because they aren't, they are simply criminals who ignore game laws and steal game from ethical permit holders. Most of them don't have hunting permits and when caught they invariably end up being charged with multiple violations, such as shooting from the road, trespassing, taking game out of season, no hunting permit, over bag limits, and on and on. Many shoot animals and leave them lying in the field.
Responsible citizens don't condone poaching or approve of the outlaws who do it. Fortunately, Nebraska has a mechanism by which people who see or have knowledge of game law violations may report that information to Nebraska Game and Parks Commission conservation officers anonymously and may still be eligible for a cash reward.
For more than a quarter-century, Nebraska Wildlife Crimestoppers (NWC) has identified, apprehended and prosecuted game law violators across the state thanks to the help of concerned citizens.
The program is a cooperative effort of Nebraska Wildlife Protector's Association (NWPA) and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. It was originally known as "Operation Game Thief," but its name was changed to Nebraska Wildlife Crimestoppers in July, 2001 to better reflect its purpose.
According to the latest available information, since its inception in 1982, the program has accounted for more than $101,500 in fines and court costs, 16 license revocations, 850 hours of community service, 80 days of jail time, 1,185 days of probation, $6,600 paid to the NWC reward fund and $206,920 in liquidated damages assessed to persons convicted of game law violations.
More than 1,349 game violation investigations have been launched through the NWC program. Those investigations resulted in more than 829 arrests.
It is important to note that the figures listed above represent only cases, arrests, fines and court dispositions involving cases that originated with reports to NWC. The Commission's Law Enforcement Division handles far more cases that do not stem from a NWC call and the above totals do not reflect the entire activity totals for the division.
Investigations by NWC usually begin with a tip called in by the public on a toll-free telephone hotline. The information is relayed to conservation officers in the field who investigate the reports, arrest the violators and testify against them in court.
Persons reporting a violation to NWC are not required to give their name or appear in court, but they may be eligible for a cash reward. To date, at least 351 rewards totaling $49,290 have been paid for information.
Nebraska Wildlife Crimestoppers is funded through donations received from private citizens, businesses and foundations, in addition to money raised at a semi-annual banquet," said Paul Pack, president of NWPA. "We occasionally receive money from the courts if the judge requires a defendant to pay a certain amount to the program in addition to the regular assessed fine. There are no tax funds involved. Our donations range in size from $5 or $10 to $1,000, and we appreciate every penny. All of the money goes into the NWC program."
All donations to NWC are tax deductible for those who itemize their deductions on their federal income tax return. If you would like to contribute, send your donation to: Nebraska Wildlife Crimestoppers, P.O. Box 726, Broken Bow, NE, 68822.
If you witness or have knowledge of a game law violation, call the NWC toll-free hotline, 1-800-742-7627. The hotline will be answered by a Commission staff member from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. After hours and on weekends and holidays, it is answered by the Nebraska Crimestoppers operator and information is relayed to a Commission conservation officer.
Everyone should do what they can to help put poachers out of business.
• More Nebraska News • More State Wildlife News • Nebraska Forum BoardReader Comments
0 Comments on Help Put the Pinch on Poachers
