'Turn In Poachers' program has amazing year, many changes

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2010 has been an amazing year for Turn In Poachers (TIP) with 679 TIP calls resulting in 499 cases being started and 114 arrests, according to TIP leaders. The arrests are mainly for deer and fish violations, but also include arrests for waterfowl, small game, turkey and recreational vehicle infractions.

“2010 also has brought administrative changes to Turn In Poachers,” reports TIP Board President Patsy Bernhjelm. “Since May 2009, TIP has been without an executive director. At that time, TIP’s volunteer board of directors picked up all organizational duties (show appearances, banquets, speaking engagements, membership maintenance, etc.) that the executive director usually fulfilled. Their hard work also included an internal review of TIP’s past, present and future goals, confirming where TIP has been and is now, to ensure TIP’s future. As a result of this review the board decided that it was necessary to take some specific steps to ensure TIP’s continued viability into the future. This included meetings with DNR Enforcement and TIP resulting in an updated memorandum of understanding that continues to clarify and define the relationship they have each come to appreciate for almost 30 years.”

Here are the changes that TIP has initiated:

--TIP, Inc. is now contracting its administrative duties through a cooperative arrangement with the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association.

--Effective July 1, 2010, TIP, Inc. has moved from its headquarters in Eagan to Grand Rapids, MN. The new address is 460 Peterson Road, Grand Rapids, MN 55744.

--The TIP, Inc. office phone number has been changed to 218-326-TIPS (8477).

These are things that have not changed:

--TIP procedures will remain “business as usual.”

--The TIP board of directors will continue to guide the operations of TIP.

--The local TIP banquet committees will continue to provide fundraising support.

--TIP hotline numbers have remained the same – 1-800-652-9093 or #TIP on a cell phone.

--The TIP hotline will continue to be answered by the MN DNR and State Patrol.

Mark Johnson, Executive Director for the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA) said, “MDHA has always been an avid supporter of TIP. This cooperative arrangement allows us a chance to help ensure a strong and viable TIP that our state needs to protect our natural resources for the future.”

For further information about Turn In Poachers, Inc. log onto www.turninpoachers.org, or e-mail info@turninpoachers.org.

Tags: daily updates, minnesota news, news, outdoors, hunting, fishing, poachers, tip, wildlife, waterfowl, fish