Section R12-4-116. 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 per- son 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 Oper- ation Game Thief control number issued by Department law enforcement personnel, as established under subsec- tion (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 juris- diction of the Department, but not on Indian Reserva- tions;

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,

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 antelope, eagles, bear, bighorn sheep, buffalo, deer, elk, javelina, mountain lion, turkey, or endangered or threatened wildlife as defined under R12-4-401, $500;

2.        For cases that involve wildlife that are not listed under subsection (C)(1), a minimum of $50, not to exceed $150, except for additional amounts authorized under subsec- tion (C)(3); and

3.        For cases that involve any wildlife, 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 individual animals 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 pro- vided the information if the total amount of the reward pay- ment 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 Depart- ment believes that an enhanced reward offer is merited due to the specific circumstances of the case.

Historical Note

Adopted effective January 10, 1979 (Supp. 79-1). Former Section R12-4-15 renumbered as Section R12-4-116 without change effective August 13, 1981 (Supp. 81-4).

Amended effective December 18, 1985 (Supp. 85-6). Section R12-4-116 repealed, new Section R12-4-116 adopted effective March 1, 1991; filed February 28, 1991 (Supp. 91-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 12 A.A.R.

291, effective March 11, 2006 (Supp. 06-1). Amended by

final rulemaking at 21 A.A.R. 3025, effective January 2,

2016 (Supp. 15-4). Amended by final rulemaking at 21

A.A.R. 3025, effective January 2, 2016 (Supp. 15-4).