New app lets people report wildlife crime

The quickest way to contact a wildlife officer is still to call the Turn-in-a-Poacher hotline at 1-800-662-3337, especially if the crime is in progress. Photo: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. — Division of Wildlife Resources officers are encouraging Utah residents to download a new app called UTDWR. The app allows people to report wildlife crimes quickly, and has already succeeded in providing tips to the agency.

“Two buck deer were poached recently in Millard County,” said Captain Wyatt Bubak with the Utah DWR. “We got word out through our social media channels and a news release. It didn’t take long before two solid tips came in via the new app. Those tips have been very helpful in moving the case forward.”

The app is available for iOS and Android devices. Anyone with the app can provide information anonymously in an easy text message format, according to DWR.  Citizen Observer will scrub messages of all identifying information, including IP address, before officers receive the test.

“It isn’t required, but we do encourage people to share their name and a way to contact them,” Bubak said. “Many of our cases take weeks, months, or even years to investigate. By providing some contact information, we’re able to follow up with you in case we need more information.”

Officers keep all reported and personal information confidential.

The new app is “another tool in our toolbox,” Bubak said. “We hope its ease of use will allow more of the public to join us in the fight against poaching here in Utah.”