Posted: 11.17.2011

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is ramping up efforts for a safe hunt in 2011.  State wildlife officials say they'll be employing several different tactics to try and remind hunters about their safety responsibility - and to allow hunters anonymous ways of reporting violators this year.

The DNR has also launched a Facebook page. Agency officials say the page will cover a variety of seasonal subjects. It's currently focusing on deer hunting. The state's traditional November gun hunt starts Saturday. As the hunt progresses, the page will include opening weekend harvest numbers and special messages from DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp and looks at special programs designed to draw more people into the sport. The page can be found at www.facebook.com/WIDNR.


 

Again this gun deer season, hunters can report potential hunting and public safety violations by text messaging an anonymous tip to DNR hotline operators.

Anyone with a cell phone with texting service can now send an anonymous tip to the Department of Natural Resources, which is participating in a national program being used by agencies in more than 27 states to receive tips from citizens who observe potential violations.

"People play a critical role in our efforts to protect our natural resources and safeguard public safety," says DNR Chief Warden Randy Stark. "This new capability creates an additional way for the public to quickly, easily, and anonymously report violations that would endanger public safety or steal opportunities from law abiding hunters.”

Anyone with a cell phone with texting service can now send an anonymous tip by texting the information to tip411 (847-411). The text message itself must start with the letters TIPWDNR to ensure it is routed to Wisconsin DNR hotline operators and not operators from other states participating in the program. DNR monitors texted tips from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., seven days per week. Texted tips received between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. will not be viewed until the next business day, so if a situation requires more immediate attention, people should call the DNR Tipline 1-800-TIP-WDNR, which is monitored 24 hours per day.

Wisconsin DNR joined the national program in late April 2010.

Hunters can still report violations by calling 1-800-TIP-WDNR

The ability to text violations will be in addition to the 24 hours a day/seven days per week confidential telephone tip line DNR operates to report suspected or observed illegal activity, according to Steve Sisbach, DNR's environmental enforcement chief. The number is easy to remember, 1-800-TIP-WDNR (1-800-847-9367 or cell#367.

« back to news articles