welcome to tips

South Dakota's Turn In Poachers (TIPs) is a private, non-profit  organization run by Wildlife Protection Incorporated. The Program is funded through donations from the big game license application check-off, private individual/group donations and through court ordered restitution. Rewards are paid in cash once an arrest is made and informants can protect their identity and remain anonymous. Informants are eligible for rewards of up to $300 for big game cases and up to $100 for fish and small game cases. Higher rewards may be paid in extreme cases. All it takes is one call, 1.888.OVERBAG (683.7224) to make a difference!

The TIPs Program was started in 1984 with the help of concerned sportsmen across the state when it was discovered that two large bull elk in the Black Hills had been killed and left to waste in the field. Within one year, the program generated significant public interest and it was so successful that it was implemented statewide.

Since the Program began, there have been over 10,500 investigations initiated that have resulted in approximately 3,600 arrests. Poachers have paid over $701,000 in criminal fines and an additional $536,000 in liquidated civil damages have been assessed to these violators as well. TIPs has paid out more than $151,000 in cash rewards to individuals that have supplied information that has been critical in achieving these results. And while the cash reward provides a financial incentive to report violations, when all is said and done, many people donate the award back to the Program.