Operation Game Thief, Pennsylvania Game Commission

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Operation Game Thief, Pennsylvania Game Commission

Wildlife crimes affect everyone. Calls to the Operation Game Thief telephone number are always answered by a secure recording device.

Be a conservation hero and help to protect Pennsylvania’s wild birds and wild mammals by reporting wildlife crimes to the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-888-PGC-8001 or online at http://bit.ly/PGCOGT. The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Operation Game Thief program serves to protect wild birds and wild mammals by encouraging those who have information related to a wildlife crime to report details as soon as possible. Call the Operation Game Thief’s toll-free hotline – 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year – at 1-888-PGC-8001 or fill out a form online at http://bit.ly/PGCOGT. Although it is beneficial to provide contact information in case state game wardens have follow-up questions, callers may remain confidential.

08/21/2026

The Pennsylvania Game Commission-Southcentral Region is seeking information related to the illegal taking of a 6-point antlered white-tailed deer that was found along Egolf Rd, located in Colerain Township in Bedford County, on the morning of Sunday, June 28, 2026.

The state game warden’s investigation suggested that a black pickup truck was traveling southbound on Egolf Road and at approximately 1:30 a.m., the occupants shot a deer.

A nearby resident, awakened by the gunshot, observed the truck idling adjacent to where the carcass was discovered the following morning.

Investigators conducted a necropsy and recovered a suspected .22 caliber bullet from the deer's shoulder. The shooter(s) left the animal behind.

State Game Wardens are still actively investigating this incident. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to report it to the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Central Dispatch at 1-833-PGC-HUNT or the Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-888-PGC-8001 or online at http://bit.ly/PGCOGT.

Thank you in advance for your assistance in helping to protect Pennsylvania wildlife!

08/19/2026

The Pennsylvania Game Commission- Southwest Region is seeking information related to the damage of property and unlawful use of UTVs on State Game Lands 296, along a seasonal access road off Mt Etna Rd located in South Huntington Township in Westmoreland County on the early morning of Sunday, August 16, 2026.

The state game warden’s investigation suggested the gate on a seasonal access road off of Mt Etna Rd was damaged by a UTV, with the incident involving multiple individuals, both male and female. Some of the individuals involved may or may not go by the names Jimmy, Brian, and Nick as heard in other videos obtained. These UTVs were operating in an area closed to motorized vehicles and caused damage to the gate and numerous trees.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to report it to the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Central Dispatch at 1-833-PGC-HUNT or the Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-888-PGC-8001 or online at http://bit.ly/PGCOGT.

Thank you in advance for your assistance in helping to protect Pennsylvania wildlife!

07/29/2026

The Pennsylvania Game Commission- Southwest Region thanks those who reported information related to the illegal dumping incident, which occurred on Monday, June 8, on State Game Lands 203 in Allegheny County.

Thanks to awareness through social media shares, comments, and overall public response, the district game warden was able to identify the individuals responsible for the incident and they gave a full confession.

THANK YOU for being a conservation hero and helping to protect Pennsylvania’s wildlife and resources by reporting incidents like this.

As a reminder, you can call the Operation Game Thief toll-free hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year at 1-888-PGC-8001 or you can fill out the online form at http://bit.ly/PGCOGT.

Calls to the OGT Hotline are always answered with a secure recording device. While it is beneficial to provide contact information in the event of follow-up questions, all calls may remain confidential.

07/01/2026

The Pennsylvania Game Commission- Northeast Region is seeking information related to the illegal taking of a peregrine falcon that was found along Chase Road, located in Jackson Township/ Shaverstown, in Luzerne County, the evening of Sunday, June 14, 2026.

The state game warden’s investigation suggested a peregrine falcon found with an injured wing evening of June 15, 2026, at American Asphalt Paving Company, a quarry in Shaverstown.

The falcon was transported to the Carbon County Environmental Center, a local wildlife rehab center, where it was determined it was shot. The falcon unfortunately had to be euthanized later due to its injuries. It is believed the falcon was shot within proximity of the quarry due to the location and extent of the injury.

Anyone with information related to this incident or can identify this person is encouraged to report it to the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Northeast Region at 1-833-PGC-HUNT or the Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-888-PGC-8001 or online at http://bit.ly/PGCOGT.

Thank you in advance for your assistance in helping to protect Pennsylvania wildlife!

06/11/2026

The Pennsylvania Game Commission- Southwest Region is seeking information related to the illegal dumping of garbage and household goods that was found near Cove Run Road on State Game Lands 203, located in Indiana Township, Allegheny County, on the afternoon of Monday, June 8, 2026.

The state game warden’s investigation suggests that the pictured man is suspected of dumping garbage along Cove Run Road in Indiana Township. The truck is believed to be a 1994-2004 Chevrolet S10, tan or silver in color.

Anyone with information related to this incident or can identify this person is encouraged to report it to the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Southwest Region at 1-833-PGC-HUNT or the Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-888-PGC-8001 or online at http://bit.ly/PGCOGT.

Thank you in advance for your assistance in helping to protect Pennsylvania wildlife!

05/22/2026

THANK YOU to the concerned citizens of Perry County!

Your information led to the successful apprehension of two subjects responsible for the dumping of household building materials on State Game Lands 281 in Perry County last month.

Perry County State Game Warden Michael Smith issued citations to both individuals and required them to remove and properly dispose of all materials at a landfill.

To ensure the debris was not illegally dumped elsewhere, they were also required to provide a copy of the disposal receipt.

Thank you, as always, for your conservation concerns and vigilance when it comes to Pennsylvania’s wildlife and public land.

Pennsylvanians are reminded, if you witness suspicious activity or wildlife crime, call the Operation Game Thief’s toll-free hotline — 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year — at 1-888-PGC-8001 or report online at http://bit.ly/PGCOGT.

05/08/2026

The Pennsylvania Game Commission-Northwest Region is seeking information related to the illegal taking of a turkey near Greiser Road and State Route 285, located in Sadsbury Township, Crawford County.

On May 2, 2026, an unknown subject shot a male turkey, which was only a short distance off the roadway, from inside their vehicle. After shooting, the subject abandoned the bird and attempted to avoid neighbors and main roadways.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to report it to the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Northwest Region at 1-833-PGC-HUNT or the Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-888-PGC-8001 or online at http://bit.ly/PGCOGT.

Thank you in advance for your assistance in helping to protect Pennsylvania wildlife!

04/27/2026

The Pennsylvania Game Commission-Southcentral Region is seeking information related to the illegal discarding of rubbish/litter that was found along Lower Bailey Rd. on State Game Lands 281, located in Miller Township, Perry County.

The state game warden’s investigation suggested the trash was discovered in the Newport area of Perry County in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 25, 2026. The materials are consistent with a home remodeling project.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to report it to the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Southcentral Region at 1-833-PGC-HUNT or the Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-888-PGC-8001 or online at http://bit.ly/PGCOGT.

Thank you in advance for your assistance in helping to protect Pennsylvania wildlife!

Address

2001 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA
17110

Telephone

+18887428001

Website

http://bit.ly/PGCOGT, https://www.pa.gov/pgc

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