Operation Game Thief - Colorado Division of Wildlife

Operation Game Thief is a Colorado Division of Wildlife program, which pays rewards to citizens who turn in poachers. You can call us toll-free within Colorado at 1-877-COLO-OGT, Verizon cell phone users can dial #OGT, or contact us via e-mail at Operation Game Thief.

Callers do not have to reveal their names or testify in court. A reward of $500 is offered for information on cases involving big game or endangered species, while $250 is offered for information on turkey and $100 for fishing and small game cases. A Citizens Committee administers the reward fund, which is maintained by private contributions. The Board may approve rewards of up to $1,000 for flagrant cases. Rewards are paid for information which leads to an arrest or a citation being issued.

Why do we have it?

In the entire state of Colorado there are 122 District Wildlife Managers — so, wildlife needs your eyes and ears to report known or suspected violations. Poaching is a serious and costly crime. It robs legitimate sportsmen of game and fish, robs businesses and taxpayers or revenues generated by hunting and fishing, and robs all of us of a valuable natural resource — our wildlife. Operation Game Thief is strong stuff, but the crime of poaching is serious enough to merit it.

Is poaching significant?

Yes. No one knows the exact figures, but studies indicate poachers may kill almost as many animals and fish as legitimate hunters take during legal seasons. If poachers kill even half that number each year, the problem is serious. Poachers do not confine their killing only to game animals. Threatened, endangered and nongame wildlife show up in the poacher's bag as well.

Who are the poachers?

Poaching is surrounded by romantic myths which just aren't true. Poachers are not poor people trying to feed their families. In fact, putting food on the table is one of the least common motives for poaching. Poachers kill for the thrill of killing, to lash out at wildlife laws, or for profit. They kill wildlife any way, time and place they can. Poaching rings can be well organized and extremely profitable. In a nutshell, poachers are criminals and should be dealt with as criminals.

Does it work?

Yes. Operation Game Thief was pioneered by the new Mexico Department of Game and Fish and has been adopted by 49 of the 50 states, including Colorado. Since 1981, Colorado's Operation Game Thief has received more than 2,400 reports of poaching, resulting in more than 700 convictions. These convictions have netted over $600,000 in fines and have resulted in the seizure of more than 1,300 illegally-taken animals. During this period, almost $130,000 in rewards has been paid to citizens who reported suspected illegal activity.

Last Updated: 8/13/2007