Louisiana wildlife faces a crisis: The state leads the nation in illegal bird shootings, alligator and deer poaching, and natural habitat decimation.
The pressing need for justice has spurred an organization who aims to catch offenders.
Operation Game Thief is a crime stoppers-style hotline critical to enforcing hunting and fishing regulations.
Captain Will Roberts with Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement says the hotline is meant to keep everyone in the sportsman community safe.
"It allows anyone to report a violation so that we can investigate. Sometimes a person can hunt or fish in any area where a violator has done something wrong, but they get in trouble for it."
Cpt. Roberts says the best way to avoid violations is to report them even if you're unsure.
Since it's inception, Operation Game Thief has awarded over four hundred thousand dollars in reward money and made seven hundred apprehensions.