(File photo: WRN)
Hunters hit the woods this weekend, and officials with the Department of Natural Resources are hoping they’ll lend a hand in watching out for possible lawbreakers.
The DNR has added texting as an option for reporting hunting violations this year. Steve Sisbach with the Bureau of Law Enforcement says members of the public can text information to TIP-411. That’s in addition to the existing 1-800-TIP-WDNR number already in use.
Sisbach says the decision to take tips via text was because of the growing number of people who rely on the method to communicate. Also, he says it can allow someone out hunting to discreetly send in a tip without alerting violators who may be nearby.
The DNR typically sees a wide range of tips come in during the nine day gun deer hunt. Sisbach says people have been very good about reporting information about illegal baiting, hunting too close to roads, and hunters failing to properly use tags.
Texted tips will also be available beyond the season for people to report non-hunting violations of state wildlife and conservation laws.