1MONTHLY FIELD REVIEW NOVEMBER 2019

OREGON STATE POLICEFISH & WILDLIFE DIVISION

CONTENTCommunity Outreach ............................................................................................... 3Coastal Elk Season ................................................................................................. 4-6General Law & Rescues ............................................................................................ 7Administration and Enforcement of Wildlife Laws .............................................. 8-10Marine Fisheries Team ........................................................................................... 11Turn in Poachers ..................................................................................................... 12F&W Recruitment ................................................................................................... 13

On the cover: A Fish & Wildlife patrol truck in the Stott Mountain Unit on opening day of Coastal Elk First Season.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

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Elementary Presentation in Haines

A Fish & Wildlife Sergeant gave a presentation to the first grade class at Haines Elementary School. The Sergeant spoke about his job as a Fish and Wildlife Officer and about big game mammals and furbearers. The Sergeant also brought lots of hides and skulls for the students to view and ask questions about.

Sergeant Presents to Hunter Education Class

A Fish & Wildlife Sergeant gave a presentation to a Hunter Education Class in Athena. The class was comprised of 16 students, seven parents, and three instructors. The information was well received and many questions were asked.

First Ever OSP Fish & Wildlife Tweet-Along

Fish & Wildlife Troopers took two employees from the Oregon State Police General Headquarters on a “Tweet-along” on the opening day of the first Coastal Elk Season in Tillamook and Lincoln Counties. The GHQ employees posted their experiences and observations on social media throughout the day.

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COASTAL ELK SEASON

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Spike Elk Seized from Poacher - Lincoln County

A Newport Fish & Wildlife Trooper received a call from two hunters regarding a subject who had shot several times at a herd of elk from Highway 229. The callers also reported that the elk were shot on private property. When the Trooper arrived a female subject was contacted at a vehicle which was parked on the private property. She advised that a group of elk crossed the road in front of them and her husband stopped and shot at two spike elk from the road. She stated she did not shoot at the elk. Investigation revealed that two elk were killed by her husband, with his tag being placed on one, and her tag being placed on the other one. The male subject was contacted and he refused to provide a statement about the elk hunt. Another Trooper arrived to assist with the investigation and help process and recover the two elk. The male subject was ultimately cited and released for Shooting From a Public Road, Exceeding Bag Limit-Bull Elk, and Borrowing a Big Game Tag. The female subject was cited as a violation for Loaning a Big Game Tag. The landowner was later contacted and wanted to press charges for Criminal Trespass, which has been referred to the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office for consideration. The two spike elk, two elk tags, and a rifle were seized as evidence.

Elk Harassed Near Sheridan

A McMinnville Fish & Wildlife Trooper responded to a complaint of a vehicle chasing elk while others shot at the elk near Sheridan. The area is a common problem spot that Troopers have fielded complaints on in the past. One subject was located and criminally cited for Harassing Wildlife.

Elk Poached in Melrose Unit A Fish & Wildlife Trooper was called out to investigate a possible poached bull elk in the Melrose Unit. The 4-point bull was killed about a half mile from the 150 acre ranch the subjects were hunting on. Following the investigation two subjects were cited and released for Hunting in Violation of Criminal Trespass. Charges of Aiding in a Game Violation and Unlawful Take/Possession Bull Elk were referred to the district attorney’s office. The two men cited had been warned twice previously by the same landowner regarding Criminal Trespassing. The elk was seized and salvaged while the rifle used was seized and placed into evidence.

Hunting in Violation of Criminal Trespass A Fish & Wildlife Trooper checked a “No Public Access” area of a local watershed that holds elk, and contacted three subjects leaving the area who had a quartered out 5x5 elk in their truck. The trio quickly admitted to recovering the animal from the well posted property, but attempted to say they initially shot the bull on legal property. The Trooper has been monitoring a trail camera on the access trail, which showed the three subjects walking down the trail past the signs at 7:15 am. Upon seeing the video the men admitted to shooting the elk in the watershed after seeing the posted signs. Two subjects were charged with Hunting in Violation of Criminal Trespass. One local subject who was not hunting but was “guiding” his out of town friends was cited for Aiding in a Wildlife Offense and Trespass II. The elk, elk tag, and rifle were seized as evidence.

COASTAL ELK SEASON

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Two Elk Taken by Trespasser - Curry County

A Fish & Wildlife Trooper responded to a report from a Curry County forest deputy that a subject had trespassed on private timberland property and had shot a bull elk. The Trooper responded to the area and the elk was salvaged. As the trooper was interviewing the suspect, he noticed a second bull elk that was deceased in a clear cut approximately 100 yards from the original elk. Investigation revealed the subject had shot both elk the evening prior. The second elk was also salvaged and minimal meat was lost. The suspect was issued citations for Criminal Trespass II and for Unlawful Take/Possession of Bull Elk.

Hunting in Violation of Criminal Trespass Fish & Wildlife Troopers received information regarding a subject that was trespassing behind a Stimson Lumber Mill in Gaston. The reporting party told a Trooper that the subject was low crawling with his rifle slung on his back towards the elk herd. The Trooper arrived at the location and could indeed see a subject low crawling through the tall grass in the direction of a herd of elk. The subject was contacted and ultimately cited for Hunting in Violation of Criminal Trespass.

Elk Salvaged After Accidental Shooting A Newport Fish & Wildlife Trooper received a call from a hunter who reported that he had accidentally shot a cow elk while shooting at a spike. The hunter and his brother retrieved the elk, gutted it, and brought it to Troopers. The hunter was warned for Unlawful Take/Possession Antlerless Elk. Troopers processed the elk and donated it to charity.

Subjects Cited for Wasting Elk and Tag Violations

Tillamook Fish & Wildlife Troopers investigated the take of a large 5x6 bull elk toward the end of the Coast Elk first season. Investigation revealed that the bull had been killed the previous day and the two subjects who had shot at the bull did not look for it immediately. One of the subjects who had shot at the bull left his tag with the other subject and went home to Portland. Approximately twelve hours after the bull was killed, a party was assembled to look for it. The bull was located, and then quartered and skinned. The four subjects who located the bull left the quarters behind and only packed the head out. The tag of the subject who returned to Portland was placed on the antlers. Witness statements revealed the subject who remained in the area did not look for the bull until the evening after it was killed because he wanted to continue hunting. The following day when the Tillamook troopers began investigating the case, it was learned that none of the meat had been packed out and the entire carcass had gone to waste. The subject who returned home to Portland was cited for Loaning Big Game Tag. The other subject was cited for Borrowing Big Game Tag and Wasting a Game Mammal.

COASTAL ELK SEASON

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Decoy Operation - Saddle Mountain Unit

Fish & Wildlife Troopers conducted a spike elk Wildlife Enforcement Decoy (WED) during the coast elk first season in the Saddle Mountain Unit (which has a 3 point or better antler restriction as well as a being a controlled hunt). A vehicle stopped, and the driver immediately shot three times from the window of his truck. The driver and passenger were contacted and were found to have general Coastal Elk Tags, not Saddle Mountain tags. Additionally, the driver had a second season tag, and his girlfriend in the passenger seat had a first season tag. The girlfriend did not have a rifle, and admitted to letting the driver fill her tag. The driver was cited and released criminally for Taking Spike Elk Closed Season, No Big Game Tag, and for Shooting from Vehicle. The passenger was cited for Lend Big Game Tag.

Troopers Mediate Hunting Dispute Fish & Wildlife Troopers responded to the Lewis & Clark Main Line area in Clatsop County for a complaint from a hunter that another hunter had shot his bull elk and was taking it away from him. After arriving to the scene it was determined the reporting party hunter had successfully shot the bull in the right front shoulder. The other hunter, who was closer and shooting from the other side then successfully shot the elk with two more rounds, bringing the animal down. The two involved parties were calmed down and the reporting party hunter agreed to surrender the elk to the other hunter after realizing his first shot did not immediately kill the bull.

Subject Cited for Rifle Use in Shotgun Only Area

A Newport Fish & Wildlife Trooper received a complaint of a vehicle driving on a closed road to retrieve an elk. The location of the complaint was in the shotgun only hunting area of the Cascade Head/Lincoln City weapon restriction area. A 17-year-old subject was contacted in the area with a 5 point bull elk he had harvested. He shot the bull with a 30-06 center fire rifle, and left his paper tag in his vehicle unvalidated. He did not realize he was in the shotgun area. Another Trooper was called for assistance as the bull was several hundred yards into a clear cut and had to be retrieved. Troopers recovered the bull with the assistance of the hunter and some of his friends who had showed up to help. The hunter was cited for Take/Possession of Bull Elk-To Wit: Rifle in Shotgun Hunting Area, and warned for Fail to Immediately Validate Tag. One of the other subjects was also warned for driving on a walk in only road. The 5 point bull elk was seized and donated to charity.

Injured Elk Salvaged and Donated to Charity

A Fish & Wildlife Trooper received a report that a subject had dispatched a cow elk in the Tioga Unit for humane purposes. The subject located a cow elk with a severally injured rear leg. Per ORS 498.016 the subject dispatched the elk. The subject contacted OSP as soon as he got back into cell service. The subject provided GPS coordinates for the elk’s location. The elk was located by Troopers and the meat was salvaged and donated.

Man Cited for Exceeding Bag LimitA Coos Bay Fish & Wildlife Sergeant responded to a report from a forester of a vehicle behind a locked gate on private timberlands. The vehicle had left the area, but there was an unrelated group of people who had walked in and killed two bull elk. While checking the subjects, and based on observations from the forester, it was determined that their stories didn’t add up. Investigation revealed that one subject had shot two bull elk, then had his juvenile grandson, who was across a ravine and on a landing about a half mile away, come over to tag the extra animal. There were several tagging issues, both with ELS and paper tags, and neither animal was tagged properly. The extra elk was seized, the grandfather was cited for Exceeding Bag Limit - Bull Elk and warned for other offenses, and the juvenile grandson was warned for Loaning Big Game Tag and other offenses.

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GENERAL LAW & RESCUES

Injured Great Horned Owl Found in Medford

A Fish & Wildlife Trooper responded to an injured Great Horned Owl in an East Medford neighborhood. Another Trooper soon arrived with a cage. The owl was taken to Wildlife Images where it was discovered it had a broken wing and likely head trauma. It is suspected that the owl collided with a vehicle or window. Despite their best efforts, the owl succumbed to its injuries.

Mushrooms Collected without Commercial Permit

Fish & Wildlife Troopers were checking elk hunters on state forest land in Columbia County when they had an encounter with a subject leaving the area in a vehicle. The subject was wet and dirty and admitted to picking mushrooms in the area. A consent search revealed the subject had more than 20 gallons (approximately 60 lbs) of chanterelle mushrooms. The subject stated she was collecting the mushrooms for Thanksgiving and denied being involved in the commercial trade. The subject had commercial permits in her possession for Washington state and for products such as salal, but no mushroom permits for the area she was in. The subject was cited and released for the Cut and Transport of Special Forest Products. The mushrooms were seized and sold pursuant to law. The subject was found to have been previously cited by a Roseburg Trooper for the same crime two years prior.

Missing Hunter Located Unharmed Troopers from the McMinnville Fish & Wildlife Team assisted with locating a missing hunter in the night during coast elk second season. The hunter was located a short time after the search began and was found to be unharmed, but cold and wet. Due to the thick fog coming in, the hunter was turned around after trying to locate a few elk he had jumped earlier in the day.

Felon in Possession of Weapon - Umatilla CountyA Fish & Wildlife Trooper was checking waterfowl hunters along the Columbia River near the Irrigon Wildlife Refuge when he pulled down a parking area that frequently has waterfowl hunters. Immediately, a male subject and a juvenile began running through the bushes once they saw the Trooper. The Trooper saw what was believed to be a gun in the male’s possession. The Trooper caught up to the subjects, who no longer had the gun and said they were just hanging out. The male subject was identified and the Trooper went back, followed their tracks through the bushes, and found two shotguns that had been hidden. Contact was again made with the subjects, who denied knowing anything about the guns. After further investigation, it was determined that the subject brought the juvenile down to target shoot and since he was a felon, knew he could not possess guns. The subject was on felony probation and had multiple prior felony convictions. The subject was arrested and lodged at the Umatilla County Jail for Felon in Possession of Weapon. Two shotguns were seized as evidence.

Women Rescued from Freezing Conditions

A Fish & Wildlife Trooper was in the Silvies unit responding to a call for service when he came upon two women on foot camped near Emigrant Creek on BLM property. It was 19 degrees out and the women were under a tarp lean-to with a small fire going. The two woman advised the Trooper that they had been dropped off by an elk hunter near the creek, so they could get water. One of the woman stated that they were unaware of where they were and they were thinking of heading up into the mountains to look for the Paulina Highway. The Trooper informed them of the winter storms that were coming and told them they would not survive on foot with limited resources up there. The Trooper assisted the women with a courtesy ride of almost twenty miles to US-20 in the Riley area.

DUII Driver Arrested During WED Operation

Springfield Fish & Wildlife Troopers were operating a Wildlife Enforcement Decoy (WED) in the McKenzie unit, when one of the Troopers received a driving complaint of a possible DUII driver. The Troopers quickly pulled their equipment and headed down the hill towards the highway. Seconds after reaching the highway the reporting party and suspect vehicle passed by. One of the Troopers was able to get behind the suspect vehicle and stop it after observing several traffic violations. The driver was subsequently arrested for DUII and transported to the Springfield Jail. The driver provided a breath sample of 0.16% BAC.

ADMINISTRATION & ENFORCEMENT OF WILDLIFE LAWS

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5x4 Buck Deer Taken Closed Season - Gold Beach

Fish & Wildlife Troopers received a report of two subjects who were acting suspiciously on a 4-wheeler near a residence east of Gold Beach. The reporting party informed the Troopers that he had heard several gun shots and then observed two male subjects hunched down behind a 4-wheeler while looking into the brush. The Troopers responded to the area and contacted the suspects at their residence. When the Troopers arrived, they noticed a 4-wheeler sitting near a garage that had been freshly power washed and noticed the sound of a fan coming from the garage. The Trooper looked through a window and was able to see a skinned deer carcass hanging inside the garage. Investigation revealed one subject finally admitted to shooting a 5x4 black-tailed buck with a rifle and a hand gun. The subject told the troopers that he killed the deer on a neighbor’s property which they also did not have permission to be on (deer rifle season in the Chetco unit had already ended). Further investigation revealed the subject only possessed an archery deer tag. The subject told the troopers that he was planning on putting his dad’s tag on the animal. However, his dad did not possess any hunting tags for 2019. The second subject, the dad, who helped retrieve the deer was also questioned. Initially, he also told the troopers that his son had shot at a coyote, but he ultimately admitted to the killing of the buck deer. Troopers seized the 5x4 buck deer head, deer carcass, hunting rifle, and handgun. One subject was cited and released for Unlawful Take/Possession of Buck Deer and for Hunting Closed Season. The second subject was cited and released for Aiding in a Wildlife Offense.

Trespassers Caught on Trail Camera McMinnville Fish & Wildlife Troopers checked on a hunting camp in an area known for unlawful hunting and other criminal activity. During the contact the Troopers recognized one of the subjects as being a person they had a picture of from their game camera. This area has a no tolerance policy for trespassing and after an interview with the Troopers the subjects admitted to trespassing. Three subjects were cited for Hunting in Violation of Criminal Trespass.

TMA Violations - Ochoco Unit Fish & Wildlife Troopers, along with a Crook County Deputy District Attorney, patrolled the Ochoco Unit for opening weekend of Rocky Mountain bull elk second season. During the patrol an ODFW biologist alerted them of a Travel Management Area (TMA) violation that was occurring. Troopers responded to the area and contacted five hunters in two vehicles that had all harvested bull elk. All five individuals were cited for TMA violations.

OSP Pilot Aids in Spotlighting CaseThe northwest region pilot observed two subjects driving at night on the last day of Western Oregon deer season on timber land that is only open for public access during the day. The pilot reported that the driver cast a light from the truck into a clear-cut area then turned off the vehicle’s headlights. He then observed two lights being cast into the clear-cut next to the vehicle. The occupants of the truck were contacted by a Fish & Wildlife Trooper on the ground, and found to be in possession of a buck deer and a tag that had not been validated. Both subjects admitted to being on the property and spotlighting deer. Both subjects were cited and released for Criminal Trespass While in Possession of a Firearm and Casting a Light on a Game Mammal While Armed. The subject who shot the deer was also cited and released for Fail to Immediately Validate Big Game Tag, and warned for not attaching the tag to the animal. Two bolt action rifles, one shotgun, one .22 caliber pistol, and two lights were seized as evidence.

OSP/BLM Joint Patrol - Lookout MountainA Fish & Wildlife Sergeant and a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ranger conducted a patrol in the Lookout Mountain Unit during the Rocky Mountain bull elk second season. Several hunters were contacted at remote locations in the unit that most hunters access via a helicopter service. During the patrol, the Sergeant issued one citation for Failure to Immediately Validate Big Game Tag-Elk.

ADMINISTRATION & ENFORCEMENT OF WILDLIFE LAWS

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Four Cited in Buck Deer Case - Douglas CountyFish & Wildlife Troopers in the Roseburg office received information regarding illegal hunting in the Drew area off Tiller Trail Highway. Investigation revealed the suspects were hunting in the Dixon Unit and their bow deer tags were valid in the Evans Creek unit which was just south of the Dixon unit, across Tiller Trail highway. The suspects shot one buck after dark with a .22 caliber rifle while it was being spotlighted. The same suspect that shot the 4x4 buck deer at night, also shot a 3-point deer with his bow in the Dixon Unit about three days prior. The 3-point buck had already been transported to Coos Bay where the suspects lived. As a result of the investigation two compound bows, a .22 caliber magnum rifle, a spotlight, and a buck deer were seized. The second buck deer was seized by the Coos Bay Office of the Oregon State Police. Winston Police Department also assisted in the investigation. The first suspect was cited for two counts of Take Buck Deer Closed Area, Hunting Prohibited Method, and Hunting Prohibited Hours. The second suspect was cited for Hunting Buck Deer Closed Area and Aiding in a Wildlife Offense. Two additional suspects were cited for two counts each of Aiding in a Wildlife Offense.

Out-of-State Elk Skulls Seized A Fish & Wildlife Trooper noticed two sets of antlers with the skulls packed on top of a vehicle as the driver turned into a gas station in Burns. The Trooper contacted the subject who stated that the bull elk and buck deer were from Montana. The subject was asked if the skulls still had the brain tissue in them and the subject stated that they did. The subject was informed that he could not lawfully bring certain cervid parts from out of state into Oregon. The Trooper warned the subject, seized both of the heads, and took them to ODFW, who agreed to give the antlers and skull plate back to the subject after proper cleaning.

Bull Elk Taken - Heppner Unit Fish & Wildlife Troopers discovered multiple hunting violations while working the Heppner Unit. Upon arrival to the general area of the suspected violations, a hunter exited the woods with a branched antler bull elk. The hunter explained that he killed the elk three hours earlier and planned to call OSP when he returned to his camp (even though cell service was more than sufficient at the current location). The elk had two antler points broken off which appeared to be intentional considering the unit had a spike only restriction. The bull elk was seized and while processing that elk, one of the Troopers received another call of a different branched antler bull elk being taken. Multiple troopers responded and located the hunter who claimed accidental take. Citations were issued for Take/Possession Branched Bull Elk Closed Season and both elk were seized and processed.

Subject Shoots Turkeys from Road A Fish & Wildlife Trooper was notified by a landowner that someone was shooting at turkeys in their yard next to their house, close to their external propane tanks. The landowner photographed the suspect and said the suspect had shot approximately 20 rounds from the roadway. Troopers responded to the area and located the suspect at his residence, who stated he had fired 10 rounds from his 22 rifle in an attempt to kill several turkeys. When asked why he tried to shoot the turkeys, the suspect informed the troopers that he heard turkeys taste bad and wanted to give them a try. The subject was cited for Hunting from the Roadway, Hunting Closed Season, and Hunting on the Enclosed Land of Another. Additionally, potential charges of Reckless Endangering were referred to the district attorney’s office.

ADMINISTRATION & ENFORCEMENT OF WILDLIFE LAWS

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Unlawful Take of Two Bull Elk - Sumpter Unit Fish & Wildlife Troopers conducted an investigation in the Sumpter Unit that involved the taking of two bull elk on private property. One subject trespassed onto private property and shot two bulls and then removed them with a four wheeler. The trespasser tagged one bull and another member of their hunting party tagged the second bull. The elk were later located at a butcher shop in Idaho where an Idaho Conservation Officer assisted with the seizure of the elk. The subject that trespassed to kill the two elk was cited for Hunting on the Enclosed Lands of Another, Exceeding the Annual Bag Limit-Elk, and Borrowing a Big Game Tag. The other subject was cited for Loaning a Big Game Tag.

Deer Seized from DUII Suspect Two OSP Patrol Troopers responded to a driving complaint of a pickup truck that was southbound on Interstate 5 failing to drive within its lane. The vehicle was located and stopped by a Trooper and the driver was subsequently arrested for DUII. One of the Troopers looked in the rear of the pickup truck and observed a whole skinned deer carcass in the bed of the pickup. When a Trooper questioned the suspect he stated that he had killed the deer on the last day of the Western Oregon Deer Season. The suspect told Troopers just to tow the vehicle without any thought of doing anything with the deer that he had harvested. A Fish & Wildlife Trooper responded to assist with the investigation and interview. The Troopers searched the bed area of the pickup truck and located inside of the truck box a set of spike deer antlers. The suspect was interviewed at the Salem Area Command and admitted to killing a deer in the Trask Hunt Unit on November 1st. The Trask Hunt Unit has a bag limit which is a deer with no less than a forked antler. The deer, antlers, a rifle, and deer tag were seized as evidence and the suspect was cited and released at the Salem Area Command Office by the Fish & Wildlife Trooper for Take/Possession Spike Deer.

Short-Barreled Rifle Among Items Seized - Salem

Members of the Mid-Willamette Valley Team were called out in the early hours of the morning for a hunting trespass complaint in rural Stayton. The on-scene investigation revealed that a suspect shot and killed a 3-point buck deer from the roadway and on private property with the aid of artificial light. The suspect vehicle left the area, returned a short while later and drove out into a field in an attempt to retrieve the deer. The suspects were confronted by a neighbor who obtained a partial license plate, vehicle and suspect description. Fish & Wildlife Troopers responded to the incident location, found a dead 3x3 buck deer in the field along with tire tracks in the grass on the private property. A suspect was developed, interviewed, and denied shooting the deer. A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle and a residence in Salem. The search warrant was executed by members of the Mid-Willamette Valley Fish & Wildlife Team and numerous firearms, flashlights, a spotlight, shell casings, and ammunition were seized from the warrant, including a short-barreled semi-automatic rifle. One suspect was cited and released at his residence for Take/Possession of Buck Deer, Waste of a Game Mammal, Criminal Trespass II, and Possession of a Short Barreled Rifle. Another suspect was interviewed and cited in Stayton for Criminal Trespass II. The deer was seized and donated to the Union Gospel Mission in Salem.

MARINE FISHERIES TEAM

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OSP Pilot Assists with Spotlighting Case

While flying in Coos and Curry counties looking for spotlighters, the southwest region pilot located subjects with flashlights in a closed section of the Elk River at approximately 10:00 PM. Fish & Wildlife Troopers on the ground responded to the area and attempted to stop the vehicle as they left the beach. As soon as the vehicle stopped the right front passenger ran on foot. The other three subjects were detained and interviewed. Nine Chinook salmon were located in the bed of the truck. When back up officers arrived the fourth subject was located a short distance away hiding in the brush. Three of the subjects admitted to angling for the salmon for approximately 30 minutes. It was determined that the fourth subject (who was suspended from angling) had not fished. Six fishing rods and a night vision scope were seized from the vehicle. One subject was detained by her parole officer, transported to the Curry County jail and cited and released for Angling Prohibited Area, Angling Prohibited Hours, Angling Prohibited Method –Snagging, Take/Possession of Game Fish, No Angling License, and No Combined Angling Tag. Two other subjects were arrested, transported to the Curry County jail and lodged for the same offenses. The charge of Interfering with a Police Officer will additionally be referred to the DA on the subject who ran from the vehicle. The fish were seized and donated.

Angling Violations - Siltcoos River A Fish & Wildlife Trooper was checking anglers on the Siltcoos River when he located a subject fishing on the west side of the dam, near the fish ladder. The subject told the Trooper he was fishing for trout and not Coho salmon. The Trooper explained that trout season was closed in the stream and the gear he was using was consistent with salmon gear. The subject denied fishing for Coho salmon but admitted he knew he was not supposed to be fishing off the dam. He was issued a citation for Angling Near a Fish Way.

Commercial Clam Violations - Garibaldi Fish & Wildlife Troopers contacted a wholesale fish dealer in Garibaldi, who also has two commercial fishing vessels which have Bay Clam Dive Permits attached. A printout of the dealer’s fish ticket history for 2019 showed the dealer was harvesting clams and then selling through his own dealer license. The weights shown for all of the landings were all obviously estimated numbers. The dealer admitted that he takes the clams home and then uses the weight estimate from his logbook for the fish ticket weight. The dealer also had two bags of butter clams on board which he had not entered into his logbook. The dealer was issued citations for Fail to Weigh Food Fish With ODA Certified Scale and Fail to Maintain Logbook: Bay Clam Dive Fishery. Warnings were given for No Individual Commercial Fishing License and Failure to Maintain Wholesale Fish Dealer Records.

Steelhead Fishing in Closed Area of Siletz River

Fish & Wildlife Troopers contacted a subject on the Siletz River who was fishing for “anything that would bite.” The subject stated he had the proper licenses and tags but were on his phone and he lost it. The subject then said he was only fishing for trout (which was closed) as well as saying it was free fishing weekend (which ended the day prior). When asked again what he was fishing for and showing him his bait and lures that were set up for steelhead or salmon, the subject finally admitted to fishing for steelhead. It was determined the subject didn’t have a valid harvest tag and was cited for No Angler Harvest Tag.

Spike Elk Decoy - Saddle Mountain Unit Fish & Wildlife Troopers conducted a spike elk Wildlife Enforcement Decoy (WED) during the coast elk second season in the Saddle Mt Unit (which has a 3-point or better antler restriction as well as a being a controlled hunt). Within minutes of setting it up, a vehicle stopped, and the driver immediately shot the WED after barely looking at it through his scope. The driver was cited and released criminally for Taking Spike Elk Closed Season.

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TURN IN POACHERS5 Points-Bighorn Sheep5 Points-Rocky Mountain Goat5 Points-Moose5 Points-Wolf4 Points-Elk4 Points-Deer4 Points-Antelope4 Points-Bear4 Points-Cougar

$1,000 Bighorn Sheep $1,000 Rocky Mountain Goat$1,000 Moose$500 Elk, Deer & Antelope $300 Bear, Cougar & Wolf $300 Habitat Destruction $200 Illegally Obtaining License/Tags$200 Unlawful Lend/Borrow Big Game Tag(s)$100 Game Fish & Shellfish$100 Upland Birds, Waterfowl & Fur Bearers

PREFERENCE POINTS CASH REWARDS-OR-

The TIP program offers preference point rewards or cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of big game mammals.

WHAT SHOULD I REPORT?- Nature of violation or activity observed or advised about- Location of activity (Road, Milepost, GPS, etc.)- Date and time of violation/activity- Description of any vehicle involved- Name and/or description of violator

Click here to access the TIP form

Oregon State Police work hand-in-hand with the Oregon Hunters Association and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to ensure the preservation of wildlife resources.

1-800-452-7888 or *OSP(677) TIP@state.or.us

FISH & WILDLIFE DIVISION

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