If I know someone is poaching animals should I turn them in, and why?

Under most circumstances, yes. Why? Because most poaching messes it up for other hunters.

Yes, you most definitely should. Poachers ruin populations by taking animals out of season and taking the wrong types/too many of them. Hunting regulations are written up to help sustain a healthy, controlled population of animals. Poaching can destroy a population in a given area.

Beyond the fact that you knowing and doing nothing is illegal, they give legitimate hunters who care about maintaining populations a bad name.

If you KNOW they are poaching....turn them in.

If you THINK they are poaching ...call the game warden.

If you just HEARD they are poaching.....then leave it alone. Hogs are stirring this time of year and it is legal to hunt or eradicate them in many states. If they are on your land without your permission then that`s another story.

Because poaching upsets the delicate balance of which legitimate hunters are a part. Committing this crime not only breaks the law, it also jeopardizes a life cycle/web balance in nature and could contribute to species endangerment.

Absolutely.

The reason we have seasons - is so the babies and young do not starve to death because some knuckle head shot their parents.

The reason we have limits - is so all the hunters who paid big $$ for their licenses, tags, and stamps can have a fair and equal chance at the game.

I poachers are allowed to get away with what they do - it decimates the animal populations. Worse, because the normal hunters now find it impossible to get anything - they stop hunting - and now there is not $$ to keep tabs on the animal population, no $$ for doing DNA tests, animal counts etc. etc.

You should not have to ask.

I do not condone poaching. However, If I knew someone was taking one deer or a few duck to feed their family as they had no other means I would turn a blind eye.

Probably. Poachers are responsible for endangerment and extinction of whole species' of wildlife.

If it's a friend tell them to stop, it is illegal for a reason. If they are not a friend or continue to do it turn them in.

What do you mean why? If you saw a car stereo being jacked would you ask why? Yes, a crime is in progress.

Because they are breaking the law and you may get a reward for it.