MADISON, Wis. (WSAU) — It’s now possible to text reports of fish and game violations to the wardens. That’s according to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Kevin Barman, who coordinates the violations hotline. Barman says the same 800-TIP-WDNR number used to call in suspected illegal activity is now able to receive the texts. He says this really helps people who can’t always place a phone call. “Probably the best feature of this new service is it allows people to send message when they may not be in the best position to make a phone call, so if you’re in a tree stand or an ice shanty, and you want to report something that’s happening, but you don’t want to make it obvious that you’re making the report, this allows you to do it very discretely.”
Barman says, “They can either text the 1-800 number or call it, but they have the ability to attach a photo from a mobile phone that they might have, and send that along with their message.”
The texting feature is fairly new to the DNR’s tipline, but is already getting some regular activity from people in the woods and on the water. “We probably see about ten complaints come through a day with that feature, so we’re really hoping to see that increase in the next couple of months.”
Barman says they have a lot of public participation reporting violations and suspicious activity with the tipline, texts, and the online complaint form.
The DNR violations tipline is 800-TIP WDNR, which translates to 800-847-9367.
The online violations complaint form can be found at the dnr.wi.gov website.
(Listen to our interview with DNR Tipline Coordinator Kevin Barman on our website, here.)
