Frequently Asked Questions

Administrative policy • report handling • field authority

For cataloged trace holdings and custody status, see Physical Evidence. Published archive amendments appear under Corrections & Errata.

The Council receives recurring questions concerning membership, report handling, agency relationships, evidence custody, and field authority. The answers below reflect current administrative policy.

How do I join?

Membership applications are reviewed by the nearest active chapter. Corresponding membership does not require field qualification. Field membership requires methods orientation, the safety module, and two supervised observation sessions. See Membership & Chapters.

Does the Council charge dues?

Yes. Current annual dues are $24 for corresponding members and $42 for field members. Approved student and archive-volunteer memberships do not carry annual dues. Dues support records storage, print notices, training materials, and archive preservation.

Does the Council work with police, animal control, or wildlife agencies?

When a report overlaps with public safety, trespass, injured wildlife, missing persons, road hazards, or another agency's jurisdiction, the Council may provide records or refer the reporting party to the appropriate office. Cooperation does not imply that the agency accepts the Council's classification.

How is a report verified?

The Council does not use a single “verified” designation. Reports are reviewed for witness independence, timing, site conditions, original media, conventional explanations, repeat activity, and internal consistency. A report may remain unresolved even when documentation quality is high.

Do members carry badges or have official authority?

No. Membership conveys no police power, wildlife authority, right of entry, investigative privilege, or exemption from posted restrictions. Council identification cards confirm membership status only.

What happens to photographs, recordings, or physical material I submit?

Digital originals are preserved without alteration where possible. Submitted physical material is logged, packaged, and assigned a custody record. The Council does not guarantee return of material unless return arrangements are made in writing before transfer. Public release requires separate permission where witness identity or private property is involved.

What does a Cock Goblin look like?

The Council does not maintain a composite physical description for public identification. Witness estimates vary, many observations are brief or obstructed, and repeated circulation of a standardized image can contaminate later testimony. Field comparison therefore relies on independently reported movement, eyeshine, vocalization, location, timing, and behavior. See Identification.

Why does the Council use the name if its origin is disputed?

The common name functions as an archive and retrieval term. Use of the term does not establish an etymology or zoological conclusion. The Council has no official position on the origin of the name. See Etymology.

Can I accompany an active investigation?

Not as a member of the public. Active files may involve private property, witnesses who have not consented to public contact, and conventional hazards. Qualified members participate only when assigned by a chapter lead.

Can I bait, call, trap, or pursue a reported subject?

No. Council field protocol prohibits baiting, playback, pursuit, trapping, staged object placement, and entry into culverts or restricted structures for the purpose of provoking a response.

Does RCABF share the Council's conclusions?

Not necessarily. The organizations maintain separate databases and different intake standards. Limited data exchange continues under case-specific agreements. See RCABF Today.

Report-specific questions

Questions about an already-submitted report should include the assigned case or intake number. Do not post private witness names, addresses, or unreleased media in public correspondence.