UTAH—Many people, when they hear the word “poaching” think only of the terrible crimes committed against animals like tigers or elephants, but a new report released by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) shows that the problem isn’t just distant places like Kenya or Siberia, it’s also much closer to home. 

According to the report released on Jan. 10 by the DWR, over 1,000 fish and wildlife were illegally killed in Utah in 2023. While a slight decrease from 2022, the number is still shocking and constitutes a loss of over $600,000 and a tremendous loss to the local ecology. The report also included a list of just some of the animals killed illegally in 2023, which included:

• 133 deer, 23 of which were classified as “trophy” animals

• 150 elk, 31 of which were classified as “trophy” animals 

• Four moose 

• 11 bison

• Seven bears

• 485 fish

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is doing its best to crack down on this illegal activity, and last year issued 4,567 violations and suspended the hunting or fishing privileges for 46 individuals. These suspensions are valid in all US states except Hawaii, meaning that it will be extremely difficult for offenders to hunt or fish during this suspension. 

“Each animal that is illegally killed in our state is one less animal for legal hunters, wildlife enthusiasts, and everyday residents to enjoy,” DWR Capt. Chad Bettridge said. “Poachers steal our ability to enjoy Utah’s wildlife.”

Though very good at their jobs, the officers at the DWR can’t be everywhere at once and often rely on tips from fishers and hunters around the state. To that end, they have offered several different methods of reporting poaching:

• Call the Utah Turn-in-a-Poacher hotline at 1-800-662-3337. (The UTiP hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is the quickest way to report a wildlife violation.)

• Use the UTDWR Law Enforcement app.

• Text officers at 847411.

• Report online through the DWR website.

“Our officers can’t be everywhere at once, so we need your help,” Bettridge said. “Please keep your eyes and ears open and report any suspicious wildlife-related activity to us. Working together, we can enforce wildlife laws to maintain healthy populations, and to also keep those recreating outdoors safe.”