With only about 130 full-time conservation officers, and dwindling numbers of deputies, the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s law enforcement responsibilities are challenging, and rely largely on help from the public.

The agency’s “Operation Game Thief” program makes it easy to report poaching activity.

According to the commission, Operation Game Thief collects information and sends it to the appropriate regional office. After dispatcher review, the report is then forwarded to an officer to investigate. The system is used by many states and provinces to help stop wildlife crimes.

If you witness a poaching activity, the program’s toll-free hot line — 888-PGC-8001 — answers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Reports can also be filed online, via the PGC website: www.pgc.pa.gov. Click on “Report a Violation” from the home page.

The illegal shooting or taking of big game or protected, endangered or threatened species, or any crime against those species, should be reported through Operation Game Thief. Deer, turkey, bear and elk all qualify as big game species in this instance.

Other violations should be reported to the regional office serving the county in which the violation is taking place as soon as possible. Butler County is in the commission’s Northwest Region, headquartered in Franklin, which can be reached at 814-432-3187 or 814-432-3188. Counties south of Butler County are in the Southwest Region, out of Boliver; Call 724-238-9523 or 724-238-9524.

The better the information, the greater the chance a poacher will be successfully prosecuted. The commission recommends a caller provide: a description of what you saw and the species involved; date and date of the occurrence; the location, including county, township and address; description of the persons, including height, weight, hair color, approximate age, tattoo or other distinguishing features, clothing and sporting arm; a description of the vehicle, noting details such as color, make and model, decals or bumper stickers, license number and state, road used, direction of travel. Your name and phone number can remain confidential.

In certain instances, reporting poaching activity can lead to a monetary reward.

According to the commission, if the suspected violation involves the killing of big game animals, or threatened or endangered species, an additional $500 penalty may be added to the penalties of those convicted of committing the crime. This additional penalty may be added to fines levied upon those found guilty of Game and Wildlife Code violations. The $500 enhanced penalty goes into a special fund, from which half the amount ($250) may be paid to the individual who provided the information that led to the conviction. The remainder will be used to offset the costs of Operation Game Thief.

Since monetary rewards are only possible when the judge levies the additional $500 penalty, Cabela’s has stepped up, providing $50 gift cards the commission can use as rewards for tip-driven convictions when the added penalty is not accessed.

Ron Leh, retail marketing manager for the Cabela’s Hamburg store, presented the Commission with the first of 10 reward gift cards at the agency’s spring meeting.

“The partnership we have formed benefits not only Cabela’s and the Game Commission, but more importantly the wildlife of Pennsylvania,” Leh said. “We’re proud to support Operation Game Thief, and couldn’t be more pleased with the results the program is getting.”

Cabela’s is a nationwide retailer of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, and has a store in Wheeling, W.Va.