The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) is increasing its crime-fighting arsenal with a new app that helps citizens use their smartphones to connect with the department to both get information as well as submit anonymous tips with a customized app.

“Our job is to help protect Nevada’s wildlife,” said Chief Game Warden Mike Maynard.  “We are always looking for ways to make it easier for members of the public to report wildlife crime. With this new app, we’ll now be better able to hear from those in our community who might have information that can help our game wardens.”

NDOW Tip allows the public to send an anonymous report through the app, connect directly to the Operation Game Thief (OGT) hotline, or send in videos or photos of illegal or suspicious activity. 

 Even those citizens in Nevada who do not own a smartphone can share information with game wardens by sending an anonymous text tip via their cell phone by texting keyword “NDOWTIP” and their message/tip to 847411 (tip411). Anonymous web tips can also be submitted through the department’s website (www.ndow.org).

 “Nevada is a big state and we can do our jobs more effectively with help from the public,” said Game Warden Captain Brian Eller. “With this new app, our hope is that more people will get involved in protecting Nevada’s wildlife and let us know when they see something out in the field. Afterall, this wildlife belongs to all Nevadans.”

The NDOW Tip app is 100% anonymous, as the technology removes all identifying information before game wardens see the tips and there is no way to identify the sender.

Developed by tip411, the NDOW Tip app puts a powerful new tool into the hands of community members of all ages. NDOW Tip is available for download for free via the Google Play Store, iTunes App Store, or by visiting the agency’s website (www.ndow.org).

Members of the public can also still call the OGT hotline directly at 1-800-992-3030