All are invited to help in the fight against poaching in Utah. Throughout the state there are already several hunts that have started and the general-season deer hunt starts October 23rd. DWR officers have already contacted 13,350 individuals and inspected the hunting licenses of 5,116 people from August 1st to September 23rd. During those interactions, the officers detected 504 violations and discovered 92 illegally killed animals, including deer, elk, pronghorn, desert bighorn sheep and fish, ducks/geese, furbearers, turkey and raptors. Of the animals killed, 45 were big game species. During that time frame, officers issued 393 citations, and they will continue to investigate other violations and turn them over to the court system. “Hunters need to take the responsibility of knowing the law, having a current hunting or combination license and knowing what species and areas their permits allow them to hunt,” says DWR Captain Wyatt Bubak. All are urged to help these officers by using the tools to report poaching. Call the Utah Turn-in-a-Poacher hotline at 1-800-662-3337.
