By Steve Weisman

As an outdoor writer here in Iowa, I feel it’s a good idea to subscribe to the Iowa DNR’s press releases and updates. In that way, stuff that I think is important I can get out to readers. Often, I read reports of people caught breaking hunting and fishing laws. I truly believe these lawbreakers are destroying the natural resources that all of us who have fishing and hunting licenses have the opportunity to enjoy. I greatly appreciate the efforts of our law enforcement officials as they work diligently to protect these very resources.

Doing the right thing

My thoughts? YES! As outdoor folks, we must remember that being able to be users of our natural resources is a privilege, not a right, and we need to act responsibly, follow the laws and regulations and respect the resource!

Yet, there is something about some people. To them, it’s not about the resource and the experience. Rather, it’s about “how many can I catch or shoot or harvest?” It is the old mentality that “the fish were biting so good this morning that I have to go out again this afternoon and get another limit. They won’t be biting like this for long, and I have to get my share.” These law breakers just need to be able to keep a limit of fish and take it home for “bragging rights.” The old double dipping mentality. There is a simple, legal and ethical answer for law-abiding anglers: catch and release. Want to catch more fish? Then catch and safely release the fish back in the water! The mentality of law breakers, however, is “but then we can’t show the spoils to others!”

There’s also another old excuse by other violators. “Who do they think they are telling me how many I can take? I paid for my license, and it’s my right!” Obviously, they are way off base!

Then, of course, there are those who don’t even get a license and still fish and hunt, taking all the fish and game they want. Sadly enough, when caught, the violators become indignant and come up with excuses for those illegal actions. Now, here comes the hard part: being the person that witnesses the illegal actions and letting officials know. It’s easier to not get involved. You know, just ignore the situation and pretend it never happened. We don’t want to have a scene or have somebody get in our face for doing the right thing.

Greg Harson, district supervisor with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Bureau for northwest Iowa, says, “As law enforcement officers , we rely on the general public. With only 77 sworn officers in Iowa’s 99 counties, there is just too much area for us to cover. The TIP program has been a positive way to help conservation officers stop the poachers and, in many cases, lead to arrests.”

According to Harson, the public should feel free to call their local conservation officer right when they see something suspicious. “The phones are always on, and if the call isn’t answered right away, the officers are always checking for messages. The big thing is to provide as many details as possible: location, date and time, the issue and perceived violation, description of vehicles and license numbers (if applicable), the number of people and names if known.”

At the same time, Harson notes, “The TIP does not always turn into a violation or an arrest. In addition to game and fishing violations, other violations include poaching of trees like walnut and maple for resale, and illegally taking plants like American ginseng out of season.

The DNR’s stance on these illegal actions is simple: Put poachers out of business. The following is information taken from the Iowa DNR TIP (Turn in Poachers) website ((https://programs.iowadnr.gov/tip/).

Put poachers out of business

Poachers are thieves who are stealing our fish and wildlife resources. All of us, as concerned citizens, can take an active role in helping the Iowa DNR put these fish and wildlife thieves out of business. If you witness or even hear of poaching activity, call the TIP HOTLINE (1-800/532-2020) and report it immediately. Or complete our confidential online TIP form.

TIP Board

The Turn-In- Poachers (TIP) of Iowa Board is comprised of private citizens for the most part with a common goal and interest: to provide a program which will assist the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) – Law Enforcement Bureau protect and manage the fish and wildlife resources for all Iowa citizens. One board members is a DNR Conservation Officer and serves as “liaison” to the TIP Board. The liaison officer provides successful TIP cases to the Board for review and approval for rewards to the citizen who provided the information. The identity of citizens who provide poaching information to TIP remains confidential.

Earn a TIP Reward

• $150-small game, fish, birds and furbearing animals;
• $200-wild turkey and raptors;
• $300-deer, elk, moose and black bear;
• $1,000-threatened or endangered species or commercial poaching operations

TIP Trailer

This past winter, the TIP Board authorized the purchase and interior construction of a 20′ tandem axle trailer with custom doors to provide viewing opportunities for  all members of the public. The interior includes DNR provided mounts and displays and a large-screen television to display a custom slideshow displaying poaching cases in every county in Iowa.

Blake Mills, Dan Dirks and Joe Yarkosky worked over the winter to complete the new design. The trailer made its first appearance at the 2023 Iowa Whitetail Classic in Des Moines and will be available for the Iowa State Fair, Clay County Fair and other venues in 2023.

Trespassing

Trespassing is a year-round issue but, in the fall, it can often be associated with wildlife violations. When someone witnesses trespassing, ideally, the first call is to the sheriff and a second call is to the local conservation officer. That helps to ensure the officer nearest to the area can respond.

Yes, we have our enforcement officers out there, but there are so many lakes and hunting areas both public and private that they simply cannot cover them all. They need our help to do what is right and to help protect our resources!

Back profile of TIP Trailer.

Full side view of TIP Trailer with mounts, displays and large screen television.