Report to WDFW Police

There are multiple ways to report a poaching violation or dangerous wildlife:

• Call 911 for Immediate Assistance. To report poaching in progress, a dangerous wildlife complaint, or an emergency.
• Call 877-933-9847 for non-emergency poaching/violations, or dangerous wildlife reports between 8am – 7pm. Outside of these hours of operation, please contact your local state patrol.
• Send an email to reportpoaching@dfw.wa.gov.
• Send a text tip to 847411 (TIP411) by entering WDFWTIP, followed by a space, and then entering your report. 
• Use the online reporting form on this page.

The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Enforcement Program encourages any citizen who witnesses a fish and wildlife offense to report the violation. Poaching is the illegal taking or possession of game animals and fish, non-game, and protected, threatened, or endangered fish and wildlife species. Poaching steals the opportunity from the rest of us that correctly follow legal regulations. 

If you wish to remain anonymous, please send a text tip to 847411 (TIP411) by entering WDFWTIP, followed by a space, and then entering your report. Messages are submitted through a third-party operating system and WDFW has no access to any identifiable information

Reward program

Violator information that leads to a conviction, could be eligible for a cash reward (up to $500), or hunting bonus points (up to 10 points). Hunting bonus points provide a greatly improved chance for drawing special permits for hunting. Annually, about $8,000.00 is paid, and about 90 individuals receive special hunt drawing bonus points.

All poaching/violation reports are important. Due to limited staffing, it is not always possible to provide an immediate response to every call. WDFW officers routinely follow-up with individuals making reports to clarify and gather further information. WDFW communications (WILDCOMM) is open daily, from 7AM to 5PM, and closed on select holidays. If you are texting outside of these hours of operation, please contact your local state patrol as they dispatch for WDFW when closed. 

We depend on help from the public. Together we can make a difference for the fish and wildlife resources of the state.

What to look for

If you believe you have just witnessed a fish/wildlife violation, gather all the necessary information to report. Immediate reporting will significantly increase the ability of an Officer to respond. In addition, never confront a poacher. 

1. Automobile license number, make, color, model, year, general condition (4x4, camper/canopy, etc.).
2. Description of person(s) that committed the violation (sex, general age, race, hair color, general build, name/address if known).
3. Type of violation, where and when it occurred (time, Game Management Unit, GPS coordinates, road junctions), and species involved.