MISSISSIPPI STATE -- People who illegally harvest fish and wildlife jeopardize animal populations, hunters' reputations and public safety.

Conservation officers with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks are gearing up for an unofficial season as poaching activities increase in the fall.

"Poaching is the illegal harvesting of fish or wildlife. That could be hunting out of season or after hours, exceeding bag limits, headlighting, baiting or using illegal equipment, such as electrical devices in water," said Dean Stewart, wildlife specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service.

"Illegal harvesting of white-tailed deer tends to increase as the hunting season approaches, peak during the season, then drop off afterwards," Stewart said. "Wildlife officials have found much lower animal populations in areas prone to illegal hunting."

Stewart said in addition to threatening wildlife populations with unbalanced harvests, poachers are a threat to humans, livestock and pets.

Poachers often are trespassing and may not know where homes or livestock are located. Hunting is always safer on lands that are familiar to the sportsman.

"Landowner should exercise better control of their property by installing fences and gates to discourage trespassing," Stewart said. "Leasing land to hunters also can decrease illegal activity. When people pay for the privilege of hunting, they tend to watch the land more closely and work to protect and manage the wildlife populations."

Dale Bell of Hinds County, a conservation officer with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, said most poachers break the law for the thrill, and not because they need the meat. Most poachers know they are breaking the law, but for the others, ignorance is no excuse.

"It is the hunter's responsibility to know the law. Only a small percentage of hunters ignore game laws," Bell said. "Poaching is not very sportsmanlike because it is unfair to wildlife populations, and real hunters look down on poachers."

Bell said the public can help law enforcement officers by watching for suspicious activities. However, private citizens should never approach violators. Instead, they should call the wildlife agency's hotline at 1-800-BE-SMART.

"The best way to stop poaching is by frequent patrols by conservation officers. If people notify our office of possible violator location, we can monitor that area and protect people and wildlife from criminal activity," Bell said.

Stewart said he believes hunter education courses are helping reduce poaching across the state.

"As young people learn hunter ethics, responsibility and reasons for wildlife conservation practices, they are more inclined to observe the regulations," Stewart said.