Georgia Outdoor News magazine (GON) is offering a reward of $1,000 to the first person who provides information to the Turn In Poachers (T.I.P.) hotline that helps the Law Enforcement Section of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) make an arrest on the charges of transporting deer or elk into the state of Georgia without a permit.

The purpose of the reward is to raise awareness among hunters and the general public about the dangers of importing any deer species at a time when chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal brain disorder of deer and elk, is a major concern of wildlife agencies around the country.

"This is without a doubt the most serious threat our deer herd has faced since its restoration," said GON Publisher Steve Burch. "We know that some hunters believe they can improve their local deer genetics through buying deer from other states and releasing them. The benefits of doing this are doubtful at best, but the harm that could be done if they brought chronic wasting disease to Georgia would be devastating and difficult to reverse."

The $1,000 reward is being offered in cooperation with WRD and T.I.P., Inc. The T.I.P. hotline (1-800-241-4113) has been in place for several years and allows citizens to provide information on poachers
t on game, fish and wildlife violations. Thus, any person who aids WRD in bringing charges of importing deer or elk without a permit stands to receive $100 from the T.I.P. program and $1,000 from GON. Callers to the T.I

GON's $1,000 reward offer is applicable to charges made on or after August 31, 2002 - it is not intended for past arrests or past violations of Georgia's deer-importation permit requirements. One key to successfully stopping CWD from entering Georgia is that illegal importations be intercepted by law enforcement before any animals are released into the wild. However, if you have information about previous violations, report it to the T.I.P. hotline. A subsequent investigation may lead law enforcement to catch violators in the future.

"If you know someone who is planning to buy out-of-state deer and bring them in, do your best to talk them out of it," says Burch
State Agriculture Department have closed the state's borders to all farmed or captive deer."

If you have information that will help WRD stop someone from bringing illegal deer into Georgia without a permit, call 1-800-241-4113 as soon as possible. Not only is it urgent that illegal importations be stopped but GON's offer is a one-time reward for the person who assists in bringing about the first charge on illegal deer importation.
For more information about the $1000 reward, call Georgia Outdoor News at (800) 438-4663.