Poaching Hotline Getting Fewer Calls but Higher Success Rate

MITCHELL, S.D. (AP) — Fewer people are reporting game violations to South Dakota's Turn In Poachers hotline, but a higher percentage of calls are resulting in arrests.

The Game, Fish and Parks Department says 213 investigations resulted from the TIPS hotline during the 2014 year, which ran from July 2013 through June 2014. That compares with the 10-year average of nearly 400.

GF&P law enforcement program administrator Andy Alban tells The Daily Republic newspaper that he doesn't know why tips have dropped off, but he says the calls that are coming in "are great information.'

Last year's tips led to 126 arrests, for a success rate of 59 percent. The 10-year average is 33 percent.

Source: Poaching Hotline Getting Fewer Calls but Higher Success Rate