Wildlife Crimestoppers Stories
True conservation stories about protecting Nebraska’s wildlife resources and holding violators accountable.
Nebraska’s Wildlife Crimestoppers program lets people anonymously report game law violations—and sometimes earn rewards. Evidence collected by conservation officers often ends up in the Wildlife Crimestoppers trailer, where it’s showcased at local events to educate and share real-life crime stories.
Featured story
“Operation No Trace”
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission & U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Joint Wildlife Crime Investigation (2020–2025)
Over the past five years, a sweeping multi-agency investigation into unlawful hunting practices has uncovered and prosecuted one of the largest documented wildlife violations in Nebraska in recent memory. The joint operation, led by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and Nebraska Landowners, has resulted in 18 individuals being sentenced for serious violations of state and federal wildlife laws.
This investigation began in the fall of 2020 following a 2012 NGPC-led case, code-named “Fish Stamp”. The case concluded in 2014 with a 10-year revocation of hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for the primary defendant. The current case builds upon that legacy and reinforces the importance of responsible, ethical hunting in preserving Nebraska’s wildlife for future generations.
Summary of violations
Between 2020 and 2025, investigative teams documented 114 substantiated unlawful hunts, each reviewed and classified by its most egregious violation. These offenses affected a wide range of wildlife species and habitats across the state.
Key violations include:
- Interstate transport of unlawfully taken wildlife
- Shooting deer from public roads
- Taking deer and pronghorn without valid permits
- Using firearms during archery-only seasons
- Hunting during nighttime closed hours
- Illegally dumping animal carcasses in waterways
- Trespassing and hunting without landowner permission
- Failure to properly check or register big game
These offenses demonstrate a pattern of blatant disregard for established game laws, ethical hunting standards, and landowner rights. In many cases, these unlawful hunts involved multiple violations, but each was cataloged by its most severe infraction for the purpose of public reporting and legal prosecution.
Investigation and legal action
The case was launched following numerous public and internal tips, and gained momentum in fall 2020 with coordinated field operations. These efforts culminated in the execution of multiple NGPC search warrants in February 2021, resulting in the collection of key evidence that supported a series of successful prosecutions in both state and federal courts beginning in 2022 and continuing into 2025.
To date:
- 18 individuals have been sentenced.
- Over $75,000 in fines and restitution has been ordered.
- Offenders have received penalties ranging from license revocations to probation and substantial monetary penalties.
Prosecutors, Conservation Officers, and Special Agents worked together across jurisdictions to ensure that the consequences matched the seriousness of the offenses, particularly in cases involving interstate activity and high numbers of illegally taken game.
The final defendants in this case are scheduled to be sentenced in early September 2025. Prosecutors anticipate nearly $200,000 in total restitution, with additional penalties including jail time and multi-year hunting and fishing license revocations. These outcomes reflect the seriousness of the offenses and the agencies’ shared commitment to holding violators accountable.
Wildlife impact
The species most commonly affected included mule deer and whitetail deer, pronghorn antelope, turkey, and waterfowl—some of Nebraska’s most iconic and heavily managed wildlife. These animals play critical roles in the state’s ecosystems and outdoor heritage, and their unlawful taking undermines conservation efforts, recreational opportunities, and the economic value of legal hunting.
A message to the public
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, remains committed to enforcing game laws and protecting the integrity of Nebraska’s natural resources. This case should serve as a powerful reminder: wildlife crime will not go unnoticed or unpunished.
The agencies also wish to acknowledge the many ethical hunters, landowners, and citizens who assisted in this investigation by reporting suspicious activity and promoting legal outdoor practices.
Continuing the mission
This investigation reinforces the importance of public trust and the value of Nebraska’s wildlife. As a result, NGPC and FWS will continue to dedicate resources to identifying and dismantling illegal hunting networks while strengthening education and outreach to prevent future violations.
We ask all outdoor enthusiasts to remain vigilant and to report suspected violations to Nebraska Wildlife Crimestoppers. Together, we can ensure Nebraska’s wildlife remains protected for generations to come.
