Wednesday, North Carolina and federal wildlife officials announced an undercover operation involving more than 80 wildlife violators and as many as 900 wildlife violations.
Primary violations stem from illegal bear hunting, but include an array of wildlife and game law charges.
The four-year investigation targeted poachers in North Carolina and Georgia, with some work in adjacent states.
Officers with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission infiltrated poaching circles to document violations including bear baiting, illegal take of bears, deer and other wildlife, illegal use of dogs, operation of illegal bear enclosures in North Carolina, and guiding hunts on national forest lands without the required permits.
Officers began making arrests Tuesday. Operation "Something Bruin" also partnered with the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service.
If you see or hear about a possible violation in North Carolina, call 1-800-662-7137 to report it.
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission