The idea of Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) all started in 1980 when Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s director, Jerry Conley, acted on a concept he had gathered from another state. After contacting a few active sportsmen about this concept, Citizens Against Poaching received its official charter in 1981. The concept was to create awareness among Idaho sportsmen and women that poaching is a chronic problem and there is a way to help protect Idaho’s great resources. A toll free phone number was established for concerned citizens to report fish and wildlife crimes and the information is then routed to conservation officers for investigation.

CAP is a nonprofit organization with interested hunters and anglers from around the state serving as regional directors and officers. Calls can be made 24/7 to CAP’s hotline: 1-800-632-5999. These calls go through Idaho State Police where they can properly report the information to a conservation officer for investigation.

CAP has no influence on the outcome of an officer’s investigation. If an officer decides a warrant or citation is an appropriate action, the officer can then request a reward be issued to the reporting party. Convictions are not necessary to receive a reward.

For the privacy of the reporting person, funds are transferred to Fish and Game to administer rewards so the reporting person may remain anonymous.