This program is created by: The Eyes In The Woods Association Inc. In cooperation with: The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement.

Eyes In The Woods Crime Observation & Reporting Training

C.O.R.T

Please Sign In Now!

All C.O.R.T Attendees Please!

• Sign In at the registration desk.

• Read & complete the Eyes In The Woods (EIW) “Verification of Training” form.

• Verification of Training forms will be collected as the class begins or can be turned in as completed.

Mission Statement

The mission of this non-profit corporation shall be to assist the appropriate State or Provincial Agency, which governs their Fish and Wildlife with the coordination of volunteer efforts and to cooperate with other organizations in the policy of conservation, protection, and the perpetuation

of our natural resources.

Who We Are

A Volunteer Citizens Organization

Responsive To

Our Natural Resource Needs

What We Do

• Work closely with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Personnel to:

• Locate Areas of Needed Assistance

• Educate and Organize Volunteer Resources

• Involvement in Research, Habitat Enhancement and Protection Projects

PURPOSE

The Eyes In The Woods Association Inc. shall be the catalyst organization connecting citizen volunteers with the professionals that manage our natural

resources, for the benefit of all.

Our Vision Statement

PURPOSE

To assist with the reduction of poaching, other resource abuses,

and biological information gathering and resource enhancement projects.

Our Purpose

• Be willing to identify, document and report abuses in a non-confrontational manner and testify if required.

The C.O.R.T Program

• Act as a deterrent to abuses through exposure.

• Mentor by example while participating in ethical outdoor activities.

• Be an information source about the program.

• Become a Supporting Eyes In The Woods Member.

• Data Collection at Field Check Stations

Volunteer Activities

Stream Watch Program in Development

• Posting Game Management Unit (GMU) Boundary’s

Volunteer Activities

• Assisting at WDFW Wildlife Areas and Fish Hatcheries

• Habitat Enhancement Projects

• Deer and Elk Herd Composition Surveys

Special Volunteer Activities

• Deer and Elk Range and Mortality Studies• Animal Captures, Handling and Relocations

Prevent Forest Land Dump Sites

• Check Station Training

Other Training Courses

• State Radio Protocol Training

• Radio Telemetry Training

• Advanced Project Training

• Contributing Member

Levels of Membership

• Conservationist

• Supporting Member

• Life Membership

• Associated Club Memberships

• Commercial Sponsorships

• Corporate Sponsorships

Patch Program

In

Development

Any individual can become a Member of the

Eyes In The Woods Association, Inc.

by completing our Membership Application and mailing it with the appropriate prescribed membership fees to:

Eyes In The Woods Association, Inc.

P. O. Box 2406

Olympia, WA 98507-2406

Membership Applications are available at all Trainings

How To Join

If your Club is interested

in becoming an

Associated Club Member(or interested in hosting this training in your area)

Please contact us to receive additional information & Application/ Package

Crime Observation & Reporting Training

(C.O.R.T.)

This Is Our Most Highly Recommended Training

It encompasses how to spot a violation and document accurate details of suspicious incidents in a non-

confrontational manner and how to report the incident.

“Avoiding Conflict at All Cost”

Meet your local Fish and Wildlife Officer

WDFW Enforcement Officer Introduction

Test Your Observation Skills And Document The Following Situation:

• Document what you are about to witness and how you would report it.

Crime Observation

Review Of The Incident:

• Did you document the basic details?• Is there enough information to investigate? • Discuss how you would have reported it.

Crime Observation

• License Plate Number• Detailed Description• Vehicle/Vestal

– Make– Model– Color– Year

• Any identifying marks or dents

• What Tools/Weapons involved

• Any other Evidentiary Considerations

Who? Identify Vehicle/Vestal

• Race• Gender• Height• Weight• Age• Hair/Eye Color• Clothing• Unique Physical

Features or mannerisms

WHO? (Identify Suspect)

• Use this Booklet• Immediately document as

many details as you can.• Do not discuss what you

witnessed with others until you record your notes.

• Do not change your notes based on another's observations

• Keep your original notes!

What? Document the Crime

• Do the best you can to determine the specific location

• Use road #s and intersections.

• Use a GPS if possible• Use landmarks• Do Not Disturb the

Crime Scene

Where? Location

• Do the best you can to determine the specific date and time and write it down.

When?

• Report as soon as possible – Local State Patrol office/911– Or Mon-Fri from 8:00am-5:00pm 800-47 POACH

• Report the violation including the nature of the crime, (i.e. closed season, over limit, in progress or not, etc.)

• Supply a phone number where the officer can contact you and remain at that number

• Inform the officer you are an EIW Certified Witness (added credibility to the call)

Report the Crime

Use the Booklet

• Reporting contact information is located in the back of this booklet.

Keep a copy of the WDFW Hunting and Fishing Regulations in your vehicle.

Know The Rules

www.wa.gov/wdfw

Recognize the Crime

• Be aware of Hunting & Fishing Seasons

• Recognize that tribal hunting seasons differ from ours

• Use the Regulations to verify what you witnessed is a violation

• After checking and you are not certain it is a violation, document and report it.

Do Not Tip off the Suspect

Evidence and Violations

• Evidence:– Direct– Eyewitness– Circumstantial Evidence

• Types of Violations:– Felony’s– Misdemeanor’s– Infraction’s

Objects can’t commit crimesOnly people can!

Credibility

Your EIW Membership Identification is recognized by the WDFW

You will receive this Certificate

When you’ve completed C.O.R.T.Affix EIW Membership Sticker to your vehicle

Expectations

• Abide by WDFW Regulations, be an example• Keep copies of the Regulations in you vehicle• Be a Non-Confrontational witness • Document the details ASAP and keep your notes• Verify it is a crime to the best of your ability• Report the incident ASAP• Be Willing To Testify in Court

–It is rare that you would be called to testify–Most resource crimes are plea-bargained–You can testify from your original notes

Test Your Observation Skills And Document The Following Situation:

• Document what you are about to witness and how you would report it.

Crime Observation

Review Of The Incident:

• Did you document the basic details?• Is there enough information to investigate? • Has this training increased the accuracy of

the Report?• Discuss how you would have reported it.

Crime Observation

QUESTIONS

AND

ANSWERS

Check our Website

Thank you for Attending!

http://www.eyesinthewoods.org

Join our “Members Community”

Eyes In The Woods Association, Inc.P.O. Box 2406, Olympia, WA 98507 ~ (360) 438-2915

Check Our Website

Bruce Bjork……………….…WDFW Chief of EnforcementKyle A. Winton………….………………...EIW Co-FounderJim Tuggle………..WDFW Sergeant, Ret. EIW Co-FounderShannon Sewalt……………………...EIW Training DirectorWanda Turnbow………………...EIW Membership DirectorBrian Sylvester……………..Owner, Foundation Logic LLCDave Gadwa………..WDFW Cooperative Projects ManagerChuck Bolland…………………….WDFW Media RelationsJay W. Hunter …………………EIW Fish Program Director

and The Dedicated WDFW Enforcement Officers In The Field

Credits

Eyes In The Woods Crime Observation & Reporting Training

C.O.R.T

This Program Is Partially Funded by WDFW Cooperative Project ALEA Grants