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Help Stop Poaching - Operation Game Thief

Poaching is a serious, costly crime which harms legitimate sportspersons, wildlife viewers, small business owners and taxpayers. If convicted, a person charged with poaching violations could face heavy fines and suspension of hunting and fishing licenses.
CPW officer with orphaned bear cub
Orphaned bear cub hangs on a fence at Wet Mountain Wildlife Rehabilitation in Wetmore. The cub was orphaned in a suspected poaching incident.

What is Poaching?

Poaching is the illegal taking or possession of any game, fish or nongame wildlife. Poachers are criminals and should be dealt with as such. Poachers kill for the thrill of killing, to lash out at wildlife laws, or for profit. They kill wildlife any way, time and place they can. Poaching rings can be well organized and extremely profitable.

Signs of Poaching

  • Hunting out of season
  • Hunting at night using spotlights
  • Taking more than the legal limit.
  • The purchase of resident licenses by non-residents constitutes another violation that impacts wildlife management.

Help Stop Poaching

Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers two reward programs for individuals who report poaching. The reporting parties may not receive both a Turn In Poacher reward and a cash Operation Game Thief reward for the same incident. 

2,400

reports of poaching since 1981

700

convictions from reports

$600,000

in fines from convictions

$130,000

in rewards have been paid to citizens who reported suspected illegal activity

Report Poaching

Turn in Poachers

Turn In Poachers Program

The Turn in Poachers program allows people who turn in poachers to receive preference points or even licenses in some cases. This program is only for reports of illegal take or possession or willful destruction of bear, deer, elk, moose, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, pronghorn or turkey.

Rewards

In order to be eligible for the license or point rewards, the reporting party must be willing to testify. In all cases the reporting party must otherwise be eligible to receive the license, including meeting hunter education requirements and not being under suspension.  

  • If a person reports a violation which results in a charge of illegal take or possession, they may receive preference points or an over the counter license.   
  • If a person reports a violation which results in a charge of willful destruction or the illegal take involves an animal that meets the trophy requirements of 33-6-109(3.4) (The Samson Law) then the person can receive a limited license for the same unit and species as the reported violation.  
  • If the case is dismissed, fine is paid or the suspect pleads guilty but the reporting party was willing to testify if necessary then they will still be eligible for the reward.

Support Operation Game Thief

Operation Game Thief is successful, in part, because people like you get involved in the effort to protect wildlife. You can help by reporting poaching or by donating to the cause. Donations to help fund the rewards that citizens receive when reporting suspected illegal activity. Contribute today and help stop the harmful and costly practice of poaching in Colorado.

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