Operation Game Thief

    Calls on the OGT hotline (toll-free within Maine at 1-800-253-7887 (1-800-ALERT-US) are taken by volunteers of the program.
    All information about the poaching incident is taken and the caller is assigned a code number. The toll-free line is currently answered every day of the year from 8 a.m. until midnight although very soon it will be a 24/365-day operation.
    • Law enforcement personnel evaluate the information; investigations are begun immediately and must follow the same rules and constitutional guidelines as any law enforcement investigation.
    • If a poacher is arrested or issued a summons on the basis of the information provided by a caller, a reward is authorized if asked for previously by the caller.
    • Rewards can be paid in cash and the pay-off is arranged to protect the anonymity of the caller.
    • Rewards will be paid only if the informant states that a reward is desired prior to any investigation. Actually, most fish and wildlife enthusiasts don’t want the reward – they just want the criminals caught!