Deer poachers take note: That buck in your crosshairs may not be a deer at all, but a decoy used by conservation officers with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to catch people illegally taking deer.
"It’s the firearm deer season and some hunters don’t want to return home empty handed," said Col. Jim Konrad DNR enforcement director. “Although the vast majority of hunters abide by the rules there are some that resort to poaching to fill their tag.”
With only 140 field conservation officers across the state, help from law-abiding outdoorsmen and women, as well as the general public, is welcomed.
“If people see suspicious activity, such as a vehicle driving slowly at night shining a spotlight into a forest or field, they should contact a conservation officer or other law enforcement officer with as much detail as possible,” Konrad said.
He suggested noting the time the incident occurred, type of vehicle, any characteristics about the people involved, license plate number or direction they were heading.
Time is also a major factor.
"Let us know as soon as possible," Konrad said. "The longer someone waits to report the activity, the less chance we have of stopping it. Almost everyone has a cell phone, so we hope they put them to good use."
The Turn-In-Poachers program offers rewards to citizens who report poachers or other resources violations. To report a violation, call 800-652-9093 or #TIP on most cell phones.
"The public hunters and non-hunters must get involved. We all have a vested interest in the wildlife in this state and if we are going to protect it, we have to depend on the public to help us to do that," Konrad said.
Finding a Minnesota conservation officer is just a click away at www.mndnr.gov/officerpatrolareas. Click on the map, and a balloon will pop up that shows the officer phone number and State Patrol dispatch number.
