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When you think of poachers, you probably think of dusty men in far off lands selling rhinoceros horns, shark teeth and various other endangered species parts. But poaching may be going on in your very own backyard.
How to Identify Poaching
You can't report poaching if you don't know what it is. The first thing you have to learn is how to identify poaching. According to the Ontario Ministry of Resources, Poaching is defined as the illegal taking of fish or wildlife.
What makes it illegal to take fish or wildlife? These 5 factors.
1. Time: Certain animals can only be taken during certain times. If someone is hunting out of season, they are poaching.
2. Location: Taking an animal from a preserve or refuge is also considered poaching.
3. Number: If a person is allowed 5 fish from a certain lake per day, and they take 6 fish, they are poaching. Game commissions usually set limits on how many animals a person is allowed to capture in a day or season. Those who over-hunt are poachers.
4. Method: It is illegal to blow fish out of the water with dynamite. It is illegal to shock them with electricity, poison them, etc. In some places they won't even let you hand fish or spear fish. Follow the rules of your state.
5. Species: Hunting endangered and protected species is disallowed and punishable, in some cases, by jail time.
