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2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest 2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest Phone: 812-273-0783 |
Refuge Law Enforcement is a vital resource management tool that is essential to the management and conservation of our nation's fish and wildlife resources. To that end, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Refuge Officers contribute to efforts to manage ecosystems, save endangered species, conserve migratory birds, preserve wildlife habitat, restore fisheries, combat invasive species, and promote international wildlife conservation. Enforcement activities support the regional and national interests and objectives for the sound management of the nation's fish and wildlife resources by regulating human activities that may have an adverse effect on wildlife populations.
Law enforcement on Big Oaks NWR is accomplished by full and part-time USFWS personnel. These “Refuge Officers” are federal law enforcement officers who are highly trained in the detection of wildlife/natural resource crime and are dedicated to apprehending violators. Refuge Officers are routinely involved in frequent vehicle patrols, backcountry foot patrols, close cooperation with
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Facilitate quality hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, and enjoyment on Big Oaks NWR through the protection of natural resources and public safety
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Aggressively enforce federal and state laws relating to the use of public lands
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Educate visitors and conduct outreach to increase public understanding of wildlife conservation and promote compliance with wildlife protection laws
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Actively collaborate with state Conservation Officers to better conserve
Refuge Officers enforce regulations contained in U.S. Title 50 Code of Federal Regulations and any violation of refuge regulations, federal, or state laws that occur on refuge property. Additionally, Refuge Officers have the authority to enforce numerous laws and treaties of refuge property. Some of these laws include:
- Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668C). This Act makes it illegal to import, export, or take bald or golden eagles, or to sell, purchase, or barter their parts, or products made from them, including their nests or eggs.
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-712). Except as allowed by implementing regulations, this Act makes it unlawful to pursue, hunt, kill, capture, possess, buy, sell, purchase, or barter any migratory bird, including the feathers or other parts, nests, eggs, or migratory bird products.
- Lacey Act (18 U.S.C. 42; 16 U.S.C. 3371-3378). This Act provides authority to the Secretary of the Interior to designate injurious wildlife and ensure the humane treatment of wildlife shipped to the
- National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee). This Act constitutes an "Organic Act" for the National Wildlife Refuge System by providing guidelines and directives for administration and management of all areas in the system including "wildlife refuges, areas for the protection and conservation of fish and wildlife that are threatened with extinction, wildlife ranges, game ranges, wildlife management areas, or waterfowl production areas."
- Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543). This Act prohibits the importation, exportation, taking, and commercialization in interstate or foreign commerce of fish and wildlife, and plants that are listed as threatened or endangered species. The Act also implements the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 470aa). This Act protects archaeological resources and sites which are on public lands and Indian lands, and fosters increased exchange and cooperation of information between governmental authorities, the professional archaeological community, and private individuals having collections of archaeological resources and data which were obtained October 31, 1979. The Act makes it illegal for any person to excavate, remove, damage, or otherwise alter or deface any archaeological resource located on public or Indian lands without a permit issued under the Act. The Act also makes it illegal for any person to sell, purchase, exchange, transport, receive, or offer to sell, purchase or exchange any archaeological resource taken from public or Indian lands in violation of Federal, State, or local law.
Simply defined "poaching" is any illegal taking or possession of fish, game or nongame wildlife.
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The amount of the award depends on several factors:
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The independence with which the individual with the information contacted the authorities
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The thoroughness of the information provided
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The timeliness of the information provided
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The impact of the information provided to the investigation
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The willingness of the individual to testify if asked to do so
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Other factors deemed significant to the Government
If you have information about a violation of Federal wildlife laws, please contact:
Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge
ATTN: Refuge Law Enforcement
Phone: (812) 273-0783
Fax: (812) 273-0786
Email: bigoaks@fws.gov
Additionally, if you have information about a violation of state or federal laws you can contact the Indiana Department of Natural Resources at:
District 9 Headquarters
Brookville, In 47012
Phone: (765) 647-5835
Email: idnrdist9@si-net.com
Report a poacher by calling: 1-800-TIP-IDNR
