Wildlife Enforcement

The Law Enforcement Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is responsible for protecting Georgia's wildlife populations by enforcing laws, rules and regulations pertaining to game and non-game animals, threatened and endangered plants and animals, exotic animals, boating safety, litter and waste control and other natural resource issues. Older residents will remember these enforcement officers as Game and Fish Rangers.

The LE Division also administers the state's hunter education and boating safety programs. Conservation Rangers investigate violations of wildlife laws, as well as hunting and boating incidents. Rangers also conduct classes and programs to educate citizens about wildlife laws and safety practices.

Several rangers based in Brunswick cover Wayne County and the Altamaha River. They can be reached by phone at 912-264-7237. The LE also maintains a Ranger Hotline, 800-241-4113, for reporting wildlife violator information including poachers.

A poacher is a thief who steals wildlife that belongs to Georgians. Poachers rob you of recreational opportunities that you pay for through hunting and fishing license fees. You can be paid for turning in a poacher! If your TIP leads to an arrest, arrangements will be made for you to receive reward money even if you wish to remain anonymous. If you see or learn of a violation, try to write down: a description of the violator; a description of their vehicle; the location of the violation; and the type of violation.

Ranger Hotline

Call 1-800-241-4113 or *DNR (AT&T Mobility Customers), 7 days a week / 24 hours a day.  You may also contact your local Rangers to report a poacher in your county.

Send an email directly to Ranger Hotline  to report poachers and polluters. Please provide a contact number so the Ranger could contact you if more information is needed. All information is strictly confidential and you can remain anonymous.

The Ranger Hotline program is part of the Georgia Natural Resources Foundation, whose mission is to protect wildlife by increasing public support for wildlife law enforcement. Contributions to the Ranger Hotline program is greatly needed and appreciated.