SOS Poaching – Wildlife Emergency

The detection of infractions committed against wildlife and its habitats consists of investigating events noted in the field or reported by the public. This investigative work is the most important activity of wildlife conservation officers. The success of these efforts depends greatly on the help of citizens. In order to counter wildlife poaching, and other activities that harm its habitats, we need your eyes and your collaboration.

In general, poaching has harmful impacts on the sustainable management of wildlife resources. It primarily relates to hunting and fishing activities that contravene applicable regulations . Fighting poaching means the conservation of wildlife species, as well as the conservation of their habitats.

If you observe poaching or any action that harms wildlife or habitat, report it to a wildlife conservation officer by contacting SOS Poaching – Wildlife Emergency:

Telephone:1 800 463-2191

E-mail: centralesos@mffp.gouv.qc.ca

To make a report on-line.

Any information you provide will remain confidential.

To request information, contact customer service  at the Ministère.

If you witness an illegal action or suspicious activity

Do not touch or move any object located at a poaching site. In order to help wildlife conservation officers to find offenders, please provide them information relevant to the infraction you noted, such as the following:

  • Nature of offence
  • Date
  • Time
  • Specific location
  • Description of person(s) involved: height, age, hair colour, clothing
  • Other distinctive features (glasses, tattoos, scar, etc.)
  • Description of vehicle: licence plate, make, year, colour, distinctive marks (e.g. damage in the front, fibreglass box, stickers).

The more exact and specific the information you can provide, the greater the chance the investigation will be successful. Also, it is important to notify us quickly. However, officers can still investigate events that happened several weeks, or even months, in the past.

Here are some examples of poaching and suspicious activities

During hunting season :

  • Gunfire during a prohibited period or at night;
  • Lighting to locate large game;
  • Suspicious vehicle travelling slowly at night;
  • Someone shooting at animals from a vehicle;
  • Someone shooting from a road;
  • Someone boasting about killing several deer or other game;
  • Someone mentioning they registered game under someone else’s name;
  • Someone who kills game for other people (multiple killings);
  • Someone selling a species that is illegal to sell;
  • Any other information about illegal activities.

During fishing season:

  • Someone fishing before the start of the season;
  • Fish waste near a waterbody outside of fishing season;
  • Use of prohibited equipment to catch fish;
  • Someone capturing a greater number of fish than the authorized limit;
  • Someone selling a fish of a species that is illegal to sell.

Here are examples of things that can disturb or destroy fish habitat

  • Removing gravel from a river;
  • Dumping of fill in a waterbody;
  • Waterway canalization work;
  • Diversion of a waterway;
  • Construction of a non-conforming footbridge or bridge across a waterway.

Your information will help wildlife conservation officers significantly increase the chance of a successful investigation to stop illegal acts against wildlife or its habitats. In this way, you will be an active participant in the conservation of our wildlife heritage, to benefit all Québec citizens.

Also, by including your contact information, you allow officers to obtain more specific details relevant to their investigation; they can also let you know about the results of their work. This service is confidential.