* Poaching is a hidden crime: It's illegal and often done in secret, making it difficult to track.
* Data collection is inconsistent: There isn't a centralized system that tracks poaching across the country. Different states and federal agencies collect data differently, making it hard to compile a comprehensive figure.
* Poaching encompasses a wide range of activities: It includes everything from hunting without a license to the illegal trade of endangered species, making it difficult to define a specific category.
However, we do know that poaching is a serious problem in the US:
* The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) estimates that wildlife crime costs the US economy billions of dollars annually.
* The USFWS investigates thousands of poaching cases each year.
* Organizations like the Wildlife Conservation Society and the National Wildlife Federation highlight the issue of poaching and its impact on wildlife populations.
While a precise number of poached animals remains elusive, the problem is significant and requires continued attention and action.