Indiana Conservation Officers recovered the body of Jeremy Gettys, 38, from Fall Creek in Indianapolis. Gettys was not wearing a personal flotation device when he entered the water. The circumstances of the drowning remain under investigation by conservation officers and the Lawrence Police Department.
Attorney General James Uthmeier, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and local law enforcement charged 10 people with running an illegal commercial fishing operation. After a four-year undercover investigation, the group is accused of poaching approximately 23,000 pounds of fish and illegally selling over $150,000 worth of fish, shrimp, and turtles, including five protected sea turtles.
Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers are seeking information about a bull moose killed near Elk River in Unit 10A on September 14-15, with most of the meat left to waste. Tipsters can contact the Clearwater Regional Office at 208-799-5010 or the Citizens Against Poaching Hotline at 1-800-632-5999 and may receive a cash reward.
An 85-year-old man with dementia reported missing on September 28, 2026, was found safe on September 29 in Cheboygan County. The Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office, Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers, and Search and Rescue personnel located him after following footprints near his vehicle in a remote area.
The Michigan DNR is accepting applications for its Conservation Officer Training Academy starting April 25 through July 15 in Lansing. Qualified applicants must be at least 21 years old and meet law enforcement certification requirements. Sgt. Kyle Bucholtz, training academy commander, encourages current law enforcement officers to apply for this unique opportunity.
Game Warden K9 Lucy and Game Warden Dory Kulis located missing Montville resident Michael McCoy early morning on 9/28/2026 in a wooded area near his home. McCoy, who left on foot with two dogs the previous evening, was found uninjured with one dog after heavy rain and wind. Maine State Police assisted in the search effort.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are investigating an out-of-season deer shooting on private property near Billings on September 20. Witnesses reported seeing two occupants in a white flatbed truck shoot at least one deer off Hillcrest Road. The public is urged to contact game warden Diego O'Brien with information, with rewards up to $1,000 available.
Assistant Chief of Law Enforcement Wade Farrar shares stories from his 23-year career with ODWC about the wildest fishing violations encountered by Oklahoma game wardens, featuring unbelievable excuses and behind-the-scenes insights into enforcement.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are investigating a mule deer buck shot and wasted on private land five miles north of Hardin on September 8-9. The incident occurred before rifle hunting season began on October 24, and all meat was left unused. Tipsters can contact tipmont.mt.gov or 1-800-TIP-MONT for a potential $1,000 reward.
Idaho Fish and Game is investigating the illegal killing and waste of a bull elk discovered on Sellars Creek Road in Bingham County between September 4-5. The elk was shot multiple times with a centerfire rifle during an archery-only season, with only antlers removed. Contact Senior Conservation Officer Mitch Newhouse at 208-576-1752 or the Citizens Against Poaching hotline at 1-800-632-5999.
Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers are investigating the unlawful harvest of a 6x6 bull elk on September 12 in Unit 31. The elk was transported from Adams Creek drainage in an early-2000s white Toyota Tacoma. Anyone with information can contact the Southwest Regional Office at 208-525-7290 or the Citizen's Against Poaching Hotline at 1-800-632-5999.
Eleven game wardens graduated from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's Enforcement Division after 835 hours of training at the H.C. "Red" Morris Training Center. Ethan Johnson of Mountain Home earned the Top Gun Award, while Miles Hermann of Hot Springs received the Edward H. Armstrong Memorial Excellence Award.
Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an accidental drowning on Lake Wawasee in Kosciusko County. Brian Conwell, 55, entered the water to set mooring augers Friday afternoon when he began to struggle. Multiple agencies responded, but lifesaving efforts by Turkey Creek Fire and Syracuse EMS were unsuccessful.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police has enrolled in the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) Law Enforcement Accreditation Program, beginning a three-year evaluation process. NRP becomes the second state conservation law enforcement agency pursuing this voluntary accreditation, joining other Maryland agencies like Maryland State Police and Montgomery County Police Department.
Indiana Conservation Officers recovered the body of Andreas Lohmar, 62, from Big Cedar Lake in Whitley County on Friday. Conservation Officers used side-scan sonar to locate the victim in approximately 40 feet of water, with assistance from the Whitley County Sheriff's Department, Thorncreek Township Fire Department, Indiana State Police, Parkview EMS, and the Whitley County Coroner's Office.
The 33rd Ohio Wildlife Officer Training Academy has begun with nine cadets selected from over 1,000 applicants to train with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. The cadets will complete 21 weeks of peace officer basic training and 10 weeks of specialized wildlife training, graduating in March 2027 to serve Ohio's 88 counties.
Montana's new block management enforcement network, created through Senate Bill 441 introduced by Senator Denley Loge, allows landowners to opt-in to reinforce hunter compliance. Violations result in progressive restrictions from all participating BMAs, with over 830 landowners across 550 BMAs enrolled for the 2026 season.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission filed charges against Rodney Edward Smith, 39, of Chatsworth, Georgia, for orchestrating a fraud scheme targeting Florida hunters. Smith posted fraudulent hunting lease advertisements and collected deposits from victims across 15 Florida counties, facing four felony counts including fraudulently offering property for lease.
Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers are investigating a cow elk shot and left to waste on private property in Clearwater County's Unit 11A between August 3-4. The elk was killed without landowner permission, leaving its calf orphaned. Anyone with information is urged to contact Sr. Conservation Officer Morgan Deards or the Citizens Against Poaching hotline.
Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating after a 16-year-old from East Brunswick, New Jersey, was recovered from Lake Michigan and later died at Franciscan Health Michigan City Hospital. First responders from multiple agencies, including the Michigan City Fire Department and LaPorte County Sheriff's Office, responded to the incident.