Ariz. Admin. Code § R12-4-126 - Reward Payments

A. Subject to the restrictions prescribed under A.R.S. § 17-315, a person may claim a reward from the Department when the person provides information that leads to an arrest through the Operation Game Thief Program. The person who reports the unlawful activity will then become eligible to receive a reward as established under subsections (C) and (D), provided funds are available in the Wildlife Theft Prevention Fund and:

1. The person who reported the violation provides the Operation Game Thief control number issued by Department law enforcement personnel, as established under subsection (B);

2. The information provided relates to a violation of any provisions of A.R.S. Title 17, A.A.C. Title 12, Chapter 4, or federal wildlife laws enforced by and under the jurisdiction of the Department, but not on Indian Reservations;

3. The person did not first provide information during a criminal investigation or judicial proceeding; and

4. The person who reports the violation is not:

a. The person who committed the violation;

b. A peace officer, including wildlife managers and game rangers;

c. A Department employee; or

d. An immediate family member of a Department employee.

B. The Department shall inform the person providing information regarding a wildlife violation of the procedure for claiming a reward if the information results in an arrest. The Department shall also provide the person with the control number assigned to the reported violation.

C. Reward payments for information that results in an arrest for the reported violation are as follows:

1. For cases that involve eagles, bear, bighorn sheep, bison, deer, elk, javelina, mountain lion, pronghorn, turkey, or endangered or threatened wildlife as defined under R12-4-401, $500, to be increased by an additional amount of at least $50, but not to exceed $500, when vandalism impacting recreational access or wildlife habitat is also involved;

2. For cases that involve wildlife that are not listed under subsection (C)(1), a minimum of $50, not to exceed $150, to be increased by an additional amount of at least $50, but not to exceed $500, when vandalism impacting recreational access or wildlife habitat is also involved; and

3. For cases that involve any wildlife and damage to wildlife habitat, an additional $1,000 may be made available based on:

a. The value of the information;

b. The unusual value of the wildlife;

c. The number of individuals taken;

d. Whether or not the person who committed the unlawful act was arrested for commercialization of wildlife; and

e. Whether or not the person who committed the unlawful act is a repeat offender.

D. If more than one person independently provides information or evidence that leads to an arrest for a violation, the Department may divide the reward payment among the persons who provided the information if the total amount of the reward payment does not exceed the maximum amount of a monetary reward established under subsections (C) or (E);

E. Notwithstanding subsection (C), the Department may offer and pay a reward up to the minimum civil damage value of the wildlife unlawfully taken, wounded or killed, or unlawfully possessed as prescribed under A.R.S. § 17-314, if the Department believes that an enhanced reward offer is merited due to the specific circumstances of the case.

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R12-4-126

Renumbered from R12-4-116 as final rulemaking at 27 A.A.R. 283, effective 7/1/2021.