Behind the Badge
Deciding to Make the Call
District Game Warden Corey Erck
Without fail, months after the hunting seasons have closed, game wardens will encounter someone, somewhere who says, “I just about called you during deer season", or "you should have been working in a certain area in October.”
That’s followed by tales about all the egregious violations they witnessed the previous hunting season.
Yet, when asked why they didn’t call it in at the time, you hear a very long list of excuses, none of which includes “I wasn’t near a phone.”
If the person did witness a serious violation months ago, it is very difficult and unlikely to successfully prosecute the offending individuals that long after the fact.
My advice to witnesses to perceived game violation is to call it in without delay.
It is easy to do. You can call the Report All Poachers number (701-328-9921), and remain anonymous if you wish, or simply call 911 and the dispatch center will route the call so the nearest game warden can respond.
If you do witness a violation, try and get as much information as you can without confronting the suspected violators.
Detailed descriptions of vehicles and people are critical, photographs are great if possible.
One of the most important pieces of information would be a vehicle license plate number if it can be obtained. With cell phone cameras it is not uncommon these days for witnesses to obtain video evidence of violations as well.
The sooner a game warden can respond, the better the chances of catching those involved and prosecuting them.
If you are unsure if you should call or not, lean heavily in favor of the former and pass the information along so that the game warden can decide if it appears to be a violation.
Some of the best cases I’ve made in my career as a game warden have come from a simple phone call.
In 2004, a man out deer hunting witnessed a deer shot out of the window of a pick-up. After the deer was shot, the vehicle was driven into the field and the deer was thrown in the back without being tagged. When the suspects came back to the road the witness was able to read the license plate of the pick-up. I received the initial call and started an investigation that evening that would lead to 30 illegal deer and eventual charges laid on about a dozen people involved in the hunting party.
Another more recent case involved two men fishing for bluegills at a small lake. An observant teenager noticed that the two men kept every fish that they caught. Suspecting that they were over their limit the teen called the RAP number and I was able catch up with the duo before they left the lake. They were in possession of more than 90 bluegills. Considering the daily bluegill limit is 10 per person, they were closing in on possessing five times the legal limit. Both men were issued citations and were required to appear before a judge.
In both cases, the callers were given a cash reward for the information.
I can think of numerous times people have called in fishing over limits or double trippers, many of which led to successful prosecutions. There is so much good that comes from concerned sportsmen and women dialing the RAP number.
As noted, callers are eligible for a cash reward if the person is found guilty of a criminal game or fish violation.
RAP receives money from the auction of confiscated items used in the commission of game and fish violations. These funds are used to pay those rewards.
What an incredible deterrent it is if the few dishonest hunters and anglers know they are being watched by the majority who are honest. Please do your part in helping to protect the wildlife of North Dakota and make the call.