The Oregon Hunters Association is doubling the rewards paid to people who turn in poachers through the organization’s program that started in 1986.

The TIP — Turn In Poachers — program helps fish and wildlife troopers from Oregon State Police identify people who illegally kill animals and fish or who destroy fish and wildlife habitat.

The program, a collaborative involving the OHA, OSP and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, offers cash rewards to people who report poachers who are subsequently cited by OSP. Tips that don’t result in a citation aren’t eligible for a reward.

During a recent five-year period, the TIP program paid more than $100,000 in cash rewards. Since 2018, people who report poaching that lead to a citation can choose hunting preference points instead of cash. About half of those who are eligible pick the preference points, according to OHA.

The TIP reward fund is mainly supported by court-ordered restitution from convicted poachers and individual donations. For more information or to make a donation, visit oregonhunters.org/turn-poachers-tip.

OHA president and TIP coordinator Steve Hagan believes the program can be an important tool in reversing the recent decline of mule deer populations.

“In light of the dire situation that mule deer populations are facing, this is one of the ways we can make a difference,” Hagan said. “I think we can get the attention of the non-hunting citizens of Oregon and inform them how to provide evidence of wildlife violations.”

A study by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in south-central Oregon found more mule deer were killed by poachers than by licensed hunters.

OHA has added two new categories to the TIP program — illegal spotlighting of game, and snagging or attempting to snag fish.

The new reward schedule for tips that lead to citations:

• Bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose — $2,000.

• Elk, deer, pronghorn — $1,000.

• Bear, cougar, wolf — $600.

• Upland birds, waterfowl — $200.

• Furbearers — $200.

• Salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut — $200.

• Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags — $200.

• Illegal spotlighting — $200.

• Snagging/attempt to snag — $200.

• Habitat destruction — $300.

OHA and its chapters sometimes offer larger rewards in certain poaching cases.

“OHA has continually and successfully pushed for tougher laws that increase penalties for poaching,” said OHA State Coordinator Duane Dungannon, who has signed the TIP reward checks for nearly 30 years. “OHA also provided the initiative for Oregon’s Stop Poaching Campaign and lobbied to secure funding for additional law enforcement officers and a traveling poaching case prosecutor, as well as a poaching awareness campaign to involve the public in turning in poachers.”

“We need all Oregonians to be our eyes and ears in the fields, forests, water, and beaches of Oregon; the health and future of our wildlife depend on it,” said Yvonne Shaw, coordinator for ODFW’s new Stop Poaching Campaign.

said. “Hunters and anglers are very invested in reducing poaching and supporting wildlife populations because they want to preserve the resource for future generations. It’s a way of life they wish to pass on to the next generation.”