Details: Last Updated: Friday, February 7, 2025, 9:32 am

Conservation officers at work

Utah DNR conservation officer holding a scope

Utah Department of Natural Resources law enforcement officers are first and foremost public servants. We serve as the protector and guardian of the people's wildlife. Holding violators accountable ensures healthy wildlife populations for future generations.

Our conservation officers understand that most of the people we contact are lawfully hunting or fishing, and we strive to deliver excellent customer service.

A day in the life of a Natural Resources officer is varied, unpredictable, rewarding and never typical. We spend the vast majority of our time in the field, performing patrol functions in every corner of the state — from remote high-mountain lakes to rough red rock canyons. We serve Utah's people and protect wildlife in small towns and bustling urban communities.

At any given time you'll find Utah's conservation officers:

Deterring and intercepting poachers
Responding to and investigating reports of wildlife-related crimes
Supporting hunter-safety programs
Actively enforcing safety-related laws in the field
Responding to emergency call-outs on nights, weekends and holidays
Assisting biologists with wildlife surveys
Relocating wildlife to protect the safety of people and animals
Protecting critical wildlife habitat
Working alongside allied law enforcement agencies by enforcing criminal code, assisting with vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, search-and-rescue efforts and generally serving the people of Utah

Our goal is to build and strengthen relationships within the communities we interact with, the user groups we serve and the allied agencies we work alongside.

Learn more about our specialized teams and directed efforts throughout Utah

K-9 Team

Our K-9s have been certified and trained to detect wildlife and specific types of evidence. The canine officers and their handlers assist with search-and-rescue efforts, investigate wildlife-related crimes, ensure public safety and protect Utah's wildlife.

Investigations Unit

Investigations Unit members possess highly developed skills and deploy cutting-edge technology in the ongoing effort to protect your wildlife.

Unmanned Aerial System (Drone) Team

Housed within the Investigations Unit, the Drone Team provides our conservation officers with critical visual assets to document crime scenes, search for evidence, conduct biological surveys, track nuisance animals, and investigate human/animal encounters.

Aquatic Invasive Species Interdiction

DNR Law Enforcement's AIS staff — supported by conservation officers — work at multiple levels to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species to other waterways, and protect the integrity of Utah's critical water delivery infrastructure.

Female conservation officer letting a phesant out of a wooden cage

Training Team

Inservice instructors and Field Training Officers are critical to the success of their fellow conservation officers. They provide invaluable knowledge and training that keeps the DNR Division of Law Enforcement moving forward and our officers always ready to meet the challenges of the job.

Honor Guard

Formed in 2003, the Honor Guard performs ceremonial duties in various capacities, including honoring former conservation officers.

See more about our officers on patrol and information about becoming a conservation officer.

Details: Last Updated: Monday, April 7, 2025, 12:21 pm

Turn in a poacher

Help us protect your wildlife, turn in a suspected wildlife violation.

If you witness an in-progress wildlife violation — or you're aware of a previously committed wildlife crime — please contact DWR conservation officers as soon as possible. Your four contact options are listed below in order of urgency:

Call the UTiP hotline at 1-800-662-3337
Submit a tip through the DWR Law Enforcement app
Send a text to 847411
Submit a tip online (contact with an officer may be more limited than with the other options)

1. Call the UTiP hotline

1-800-662-3337

This is the Utah Turn-in-a-Poacher (UTiP) hotline, and it's the fastest way to get in touch with us. It's staffed 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Hotline operators will ask you detailed questions about what you saw, and in many instances, may patch you directly through to a local conservation officer.

Note: If you are witnessing a public safety emergency, please call 911.

2. Use the DWR Law Enforcement app

If the violation may not demand an immediate response, or if you're unwilling or unable to speak with UTiP hotline operators, you may submit a tip through the DWR Law Enforcement app, which is available as a free download for iOS (Apple) and Android devices. This reporting option will initiate a chat conversation with DWR Law Enforcement personnel. You may remain anonymous, if you wish, but we encourage you to provide your name and contact information to better assist the investigating officers.

Download the iOS version of the DWR Law Enforcement app from the Apple App Store

3. Text UTiP

847411

Text us any information you can about the violation. Tips can be directed to the appropriate DWR region by adding the following keywords to the body of the text message:

Central Region: UTIPCRO
Northern Region: UTIPNRO
Southern Region: UTIPSRO
Northeastern Region: UTIPNERO
Southeastern Region: UTIPSERO

Note: Please include the desired keyword in your text, or the respective office won't receive it.

4. Submit a tip online (contact with an officer may be more limited than with the other options)

You may also submit an online tip using the map below. If you choose this reporting option, please understand that system limitations may make it difficult for our officers to contact you with any follow-up questions. Please provide detailed, comprehensive information in the body of your report — or be sure to include your name and contact information — to ensure that investigating officers can obtain the details they need.

Click or tap the location of the violation on the DWR region map. This will ensure the tip is routed to appropriate patrol staff. If you are unsure of the location, contact DWR Law Enforcement Headquarters.

Why should I care about reporting wildlife crimes?

Poachers are thieves. They steal resources and opportunities that you pay to enjoy. And in many instances, poachers waste wildlife, removing heads or claws and then leaving the rest of the animal to rot.

If you're an ethical hunter or angler, you care about wildlife and don't want to see it stolen or wasted. In recent years, dozens of high-profile poaching cases have been cracked with the help of people like you. You may also earn a reward for your efforts. Do your part to protect Utah's wildlife by reporting poachers immediately.