Report All Poachers and Polluters

1-844-DEC-ECOS (844-332-3267)

Approximately 250 field ECOs patrol the entire state. Their job includes enforcement of fish and wildlife laws and state environmental quality laws. ECOs rely on the eyes and ears of our dedicated members of the sporting community to report suspected violations. Poachers and other violators are stealing from you, your children and our environment.

As soon as possible, call the hotline to report suspected violations. Dispatchers will assist you in filing a complaint. You may ask to have your name kept confidential or file anonymously. File complaints online at www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/67751.html

Complaints are forwarded to an ECO for investigation. The sooner you call and the more detailed information you provide, the more likely the violator will be apprehended. Try to remember the “who, what, when, where and how” of the event.

Keep your distance. Do not approach or confront suspects. They may be dangerous, destroy evidence, or simply evade officers if forewarned.

Who did it? Provide names, age, sex, height, weight, clothing or vehicle descriptions, etc.

What occurred? What exactly is the nature of the violation? Examples — taking deer using bait, over limit, shooting from roadway, trespass, using tags of another, after hours, non-resident buying resident license.

When did it occur? Dates and times. Is it still in progress, ongoing or yet to happen?

Where did it occur? Provide exact street addresses, town/county, GPS locations or other ways the officer can locate the scene, suspects and evidence.

How did it occur? What methods or circumstances were used in the violation?

Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact

New York State is a member of IWVC, which is an agreement between states to share information regarding hunting, fishing and trapping convictions. The IWVC gives members the capability to honor each other’s license revocations. Essentially, a violator convicted in one state may be barred from hunting, fishing or trapping in all member states, at the discretion of each state. By early 2015, 44 states were members, with 4 in the process of membership. Call NYSDEC Law Enforcement at (518) 402-8816 or visit http://wildlifecrimestoppers.org/report-a-poacher-2/