I think we can all agree that poaching is a problem on our precious state waters. Likewise, that the lack of action we so often encounter when we call the TIP (Turn-In-Poachers) line is frustrating as hell.

I know. I’ve encountered poachers many times, and called the TIP line every time. I’ve never had an experience where EnCon roars up and nabs the perps. Still, I keep calling incidents in.

Like Wednesday night. I witnessed two people spin fishing in a Fly Fishing Only area, one of them dragging a loaded garbage bag behind them in the water. My blood was boiling. You’re not supposed to confront poachers, but I did. They looked extremely guilty and hightailed it out of there. I managed to take good descriptions of them and their vehicle make/model/license plate. It’s really too bad I zero cell reception. Still, I called the incident in the next day. Even if nothing happens immediately, calls are recorded, and EnCon has a record of poaching activity to add to their database. Squeaky wheels get the grease. While nothing could be done after the fact, they now have a perp and vehicle description.

All this got me to thinking: this system is broken if you actually can’t turn-in-poachers in real time. So I called EnCon to discuss. They gave me what I think is the best possible solution: head to the nearest state facility with a land line and make your call from there. In the upper Housatonic, this would be Housatonic Meadows campground in Cornwall and Kent Falls park in Kent. On the Farmington, it would be Austin Hawes campground in Pleasant Valley. If the staff won’t let you use the phone, explain the situation and inform them that EnCon has asked you to call the TIP line. Or have them make the call. But make the call. It’s worth it.

Oh. yes: the TIP line number. It’s 800-842-4357. Save it in your phone. And use it.