Help Stop Wild Turkey Poaching in West Virginia 1-800-NET-GAME Hotline

            The 2008 West Virginia spring gobbler turkey season runs from April 28 through May 24, and shooting hours are between one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. Unfortunately, some people try to get an early start on the season or take a bird outside the legal hours. They should be aware that conservation officers from the Division of Natural Resources are on the job, and that they often receive help from the public in finding and apprehending these individuals who do not respect the state’s hunting laws.

            “The vast majority of West Virginia hunters are ethical hunters and they don’t like to see the state’s wild turkey resource plundered by a few outlaws any more than we do,” says Col. David Murphy, Chief of DNR Law Enforcement. “We request that anyone witnessing violations of the state’s game laws to call our toll free hotline at 1-800-NET-GAME and provide us with information to help with our investigations. All information received will be kept in confidence”

            In addition, the West Virginia Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation offers rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone found guilty of illegally killing a turkey ($200), hunting turkey over bait ($100), or willfully destroying a turkey nest or eggs ($100).

            Here are some ways turkey hunters can help conservation officers apprehend poachers:

• Time is of the essence. The quicker a violation is reported to DNR, the more likely the outlaw is likely to be caught. Cell phones can be extremely useful, although they don't function in some isolated areas. Make a note of the exact time you saw the violation.
• Take pen and paper with you while hunting. You'll need them to fill out a field tag if you get a turkey. Just a single sheet of folded paper will be plenty for recording information on a violation.
• Get a vehicle license number. This is the quickest means for an officer to trace a suspect. Binoculars in the woods are handy for checking game, and they are extremely helpful for reading a license plate.
• Notice and jot down details of the vehicle - make, color, type (two doors, four doors), anything unusual about it.
• Provide an accurate location. If you have a GPS (global positioning system) unit, take a reading. All DNR Conservation officers are equipped with these and are trained to use them.
• Describe the person or persons. A physical description is more vital than what clothing they are wearing, although a description of the type of clothing and headwear being worn can help. Names are very good, if you know the person or persons.
• Do not confront or try to apprehend a violator and hold him or her for an officer to arrive. That's not your duty as a citizen, and it can be extremely dangerous. These outlaws are almost always carrying weapons.
• Gather your information from a hidden position or from a distance. No wildlife violation, no matter how serious, is worth getting hurt or killed for.
• Write down the WV DNR toll-free hotline number and keep it with you, or memorize it:  1-800-638-4263 or 1-800 NET-GAME. Calls to this number are more efficient than a call to a local conservation officer's home or office.