The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigates reports of federal wildlife crimes, such as the take (killing) of federally protected wildlife (bald and golden eagles, endangered species, and marine mammals such as polar bears and manatees), illegal baiting and hunting of migratory birds like ducks and doves, and trafficking or illegal commercialization of wildlife and wildlife products such as elephant ivory, rhinoceros’ horn, and parrots.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigates all crimes that occur on national wildlife refuges, wildlife management areas, waterfowl protection areas, conservation easements, and national fish hatcheries.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service only investigates the on-going illegal hunting of non-federally protected wildlife such as deer, bear, moose, elk, and game birds such as pheasants and turkeys, or illegal fresh water and marine fishing violations when they occur on the lands listed above, or when illegally harvested animals are transported in interstate or foreign commerce. Please contact your state fish and game agency to report hunting and fishing violations that occur elsewhere.
Please do not leave reports requesting assistance for injured wildlife/birds. Learn more about injured or orphaned wildlife.
Please be as specific and as detailed as possible in your report. The detailed information you provide will assist law enforcement in investigating potential violations.
We do not provide status updates after information is provided. All information you provide will be forwarded to the responsible office for appropriate follow-up action.
Please do NOT send the same information more than once, and do NOT file a duplicate report by calling the FWS Tips hotline.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is authorized to pay rewards for information or assistance that leads to an arrest, a criminal conviction, civil penalty assessment, or forfeiture of seized property. Payment of rewards is at the discretion of the Service and is linked to specific federal wildlife laws. The amount of any reward we may pay is commensurate with the information or assistance received.
This form is for law enforcement purposes only. It is not a forum for public comment. For general comments and inquiries to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, please contact us or call 1-800-344-9453.
Privacy Act Statement
Authority
Fish and Wildlife Act (16 U.S.C. 742a-742j-l); Refuge Recreation Act ( 16 U.S.C. 460k-460k-4); National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.); Uniform Federal Crime Reporting Act, 28 U.S.C. 534; Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-458); Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-296); USA PATRIOT ACT of 2001 (Pub. L. 107-56); USA PATRIOT Improvement Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-177); Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-211); Homeland Security Presidential Directive 7--Critical Infrastructure Identification, Prioritization, and Protection; Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12--Policy for a Common Identification Standard for Federal Employees and Contractors; Criminal Intelligence Systems Operating Policies, 28 CFR part 23.
Purpose
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may use the information you provide to initiate and/or support a law enforcement investigation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may use your personal information, if provided, to contact you for additional details about your tip, or to arrange monetary payment, if applicable.
Routine Uses
Information you provide may be shared in accordance with Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act of 1974 and the routine uses listed in System of Records Notices INTERIOR/DOI-IMARS and INTERIOR/FWS-20 Case Investigation Files available at https://www.doi.gov/privacy/sorn.
Disclosure
Providing your name or other personal information on this web form is voluntary. If you do not provide the requested information, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may not be able to take action on your tip.
