TipMont: Montana's outdoor crimes lifeline

Tip lines have been used throughout history by law enforcement for their wide range of applications and effectiveness in gathering information related to ongoing or high-profile crimes. In 2002, the FBI used a tip line when the D.C. Sniper attacks were occurring which led to the arrest of two suspects who were eventually charged and incarcerated.

Tip lines likely weren't around when Governor Richards appointed W.F. Scott as Montana's first state game warden in 1901, but we've come a long way since then. Since being founded in 1985, Montana FWP's tip line-TipMont-has helped combat illegal hunting activity and aided Montana Game Wardens in solving wildlife and resource crimes. Just last year, TipMont received over 2,400 calls from the public reporting anything from carcass dump sites, over limits of fish or wildlife and in-progress wildlife crimes.

Calls into TipMont have increased over time, showing that public involvement and awareness is heightened. With only 107 active-duty game wardens for 147,040 square miles of country, it can be difficult to respond to and detect crime-so wardens have come to depend on the public's eyes and ears to help. Any given day during hunting season, hunters will far outweigh the number of game wardens in the field.

There are several theories as to why someone would poach wildlife-economic gain, boredom, 'trophy temptation'... but often it is not because the person simply "needed the meat." Poaching can have a substantial and detrimental impact on entire wildlife populations in an area-populations for which FWP biologists and staff spend years studying to develop the appropriate quotas and management strategies. Poaching also takes away opportunity for legal hunters who put in time, money and tremendous effort to harvest their animals. That is why it's imperative for the public to be just as involved in watch guarding our wildlife and resources as game wardens.

Callers into TipMont can remain confidential and may be eligible for cash rewards. If you have information regarding wildlife or resource-related crimes, you are urged to call your local game warden, or TipMont at 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668). Call as soon as you believe a crime is taking place, and gather as much information as possible, like license plates, vehicle and violator descriptions and specific location information. When in doubt, pictures are always welcome and usually extremely beneficial. The TipMont line should not be used for general questions or comments-please direct those calls to the nearest FWP office for assistance. General Rifle Season starts Oct. 22, here's what you should know before you get out there:

1. Certified apprentice hunters may hunt deer, turkey/upland game birds and migratory birds. Youth hunters may not hunt elk unless they have passed hunters education or are a certified apprentice hunter over the age of 15.

2. Bears are still active and in hyperphagia (eating a lot to stock up for the winter)- carry bear spray and use caution when returning to a wildlife carcass.