Oregon State PoliceFish & Wildlife DivisionMonthly Field Review

November 2017

WINTER RANGE SATURATION PATROLSOregOn State POlice FiSh and WildliFe trOOPerS are cOnducting SaturatiOn PatrOlS On OregOn’S Winter rangeS tO PrOtect deer and elk FrOm illegal activity and POacherS. FiSh and WildliFe trOOPerS enFOrce vehicle rOad clOSureS that are critical in PrOtecting Wintering game. deer and elk Winter rangeS are FOund PredOminately in lOWer elevatiOn areaS OF eaStern OregOn. theSe areaS uSually have minimal amOuntS OF SnOW cOver and PrOvide a cOmbinatiOn OF geOgraPhic lOcatiOn, tOPOgraPhy, and vegetatiOn that PrOvideS Structural PrOtectiOn and FOrage. due tO the lOWer nutritiOnal value OF FOrage during Winter, deer and elk are FOrced tO rely On their bOdy reServeS acquired during the Summer FOr Winter Survival. increaSed human activitieS On theSe critical Winter rangeS increaSeS StreSS levelS OF animalS and cauSeS additiOnal energy lOSS Which can lead tO additiOnal Over-Winter mOrtalitieS. SaturatiOn PatrOlS OF the White river WildliFe area, P.W. Schnieder WildliFe area, keating Winter range, metOliuS unit, FOrt rOck/Silver lake /interState Winter rangeS, and Other Winter rangeS are emPhaSized becauSe they are hOme tO thOuSandS OF Wintering deer and elk. cOmbined, the WildliFe management unitS Where theSe Winter rangeS Occur can accOunt FOr aS many aS 25,000 – 30,000 deer. OFten timeS the animalS Occur in high cOncentratiOnS, are highly viSible, and large, mature buckS and bullS can be Seen. the rOad clOSureS enacted by OregOn dePartment OF FiSh and WildliFe are crucial FOr reducing activitieS. mOSt clOSureS begin december FirSt and run thrOugh either march 31 Or mid-aPril. a StrOng OSP enFOrcement PreSence iS critical tO enSuring PrOtectiOn OF theSe animalS by limiting unneceSSary human cauSed StreSS during thiS PhySiOlOgically demanding time. the OregOn State POlice FiSh &WildliFe PlaneS PrOvide aerial SuPPOrt tO FiSh and WildliFe trOOPerS FOr Winter range PatrOlS and are a highly eFFective reSOurce in helPing catch POacherS and vehicleS OPerating in clOSed rOadS On Winter rangeS.

PleaSe click HERE tO vieW OdFW maPS OF the variOuS WildliFe areaS, travel management areaS and WildliFe management unitS

OSP Fish and Wildlife learned of a very large deceased buck that was likely killed unlawfully and had been left to waste. Prior to a trooper locating and seizing it, the landowner gave the buck to a subject not involved in the killing of the animal. The trooper was able to track down the second subject and seize the buck. The subject was cited for Unlawful Possession of Buck Deer.

A F&W trooper responded to a report of several subjects trespassing on private property adjacent to the Elliott State Forest. Five ATVs were located on the property. Six subjects eventually returned to the ATVs and admitted to crossing a locked gate with the ATVs in order to access public land.The sixth subject did not have an ATV, but admitted to hunting with the other subjects. The subjects stated they had received permission to cross through the property last year, but the investigation revealed that the subjects likely spoke with an

individual who did not have authority to grant access, and the subjects made no attempt to contact the owners prior to accessing the property this year. The subjects that owned the ATVs were criminally cited and released for Criminal Trespass II.

A subject shot a 5x6 bull elk in a rancher’s field in the Smith River area the day before the first rifle season. Immediately after the shot, the suspect was in the field with a rope tied to the elk when he was confronted by the landowner who had heard the shot. Community members held the subject at the scene until law enforcement arrived. The subject stated that he thought the season had started already and was then untruthful about where the animal was when he first shot. He had his wife’s first season tag in his pocket along with his own second season tag. With the assistance of Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputies, a F&W trooper arrested the subject for Taking Bull Elk Closed Season and Hunting on the Enclosed Lands of Another. His vehicle was towed and his rifle was seized.

While patrolling Smith River Falls, a F&W Trooper observed two juveniles acting suspiciously and began video recording their actions. They were attempting to catch salmon at the entrance to the fish trap by hand. After some time, an adult subject came into view and handed a .22 rifle to the juveniles. The juveniles each used the rifle to shoot at fish that were in pools and jumping up the waterfall. It is unknown if they hit any salmon, as they likely would have disappeared in the fast flowing water. The adult was cited and released for Aiding in an Angling Offense and his rifle was seized. The juveniles will be referred to the juvenile department for Angling Closed Stream, Attempting to Take Salmon Prohibited Method (Rifle), and Angling Prohibited Area (Fishtrap).

A Fish and Wildlife trooper investigated a possible poaching incident in the Three Rivers area that originated from an online photo. Subsequent investigation revealed that a property owner found a large buck mule deer deceased on his property and he cut the antlers off to keep. The evidence revealed that the buck most likely was shot with a center fire rifle at a different location and died later on the mentioned property. The owner of the property was issued a warning for Illegal Possession of Game Mammal Parts.

Enforcement of Wildlife Laws

F&W Troopers responded to a game complaint regarding a subject who shot a 5 point bull elk. They located the subject at a residence with part of the elk packed out to his truck. Subsequent to an interview, the subject admitted to shooting and killing the 5 point bull. The subject had a valid elk tag for an antlerless elk only. He admitted his son provided him with his tag which was valid to harvest the bull elk. The son admitted to validating the tag and leaving a note with his dad stating he killed the elk. He also advised a friend he harvested the bull and the friend helped the male subject pack out the elk. The subject was criminally cited for Unlawful Take Bull Elk and Lend/Borrow Big Game Tag; the friend was criminally cited for Aiding in a Wildlife Offense. The son was criminally cited for Lending/Borrow Big Game Tag. The bull elk and a rifle were seized as evidence.

A F&W trooper responded to the Brownsville area on a deer call. The reporting party legally shot a 4 point buck with archery equipment, and heard gunshots shortly thereafter in the direction that the fatally wounded deer ran after being shot. Approximately 20 minutes later, the hunter began tracking the buck and the blood trail turned into a drag marks, then a gut pile. When he found the deer carcass, he saw another subject get into his pickup and leave the area. The deer had been shot with a rifle by the subject as it was expiring from the archery wound. Contact was made with the suspect and he was cited for Unlawful Take/Possess Buck Deer and his rifle was seized as evidence.

Arrested and lodged in Jail for Unlawful take of Mule Deer BuckDuring the late season Muzzleloader Mule Deer hunt, F&W troopers contacted two subjects on public land, in the Juniper unit. After contacting them, it was discovered that one had shot a buck deer that morning and had notched his tag but did not tag the deer. The subject later admitted that he was trying to shoot a better buck because the one he shot was only a forked horn with bad genetics. The two subjects had landowner tags that were only valid for hunting on their own property. Both admitted to shooting the deer, and that they shot it on public land, not on their property where the deer tags were valid. One was criminally cited and released for Hunting Outside of Controlled Hunt Area and Aiding in a Wildlife Offense. The subject who initially shot the buck deer, was taken into custody and lodged at the Harney County Jail for Take/Possession of Mule Deer Buck, Hunting Outside of Controlled Hunt Area, and No Big Game Tag.

TMA Patrols – Aircraft assistThe Bend F&W Team conducted numerous patrols in the Metolius and Upper Deschutes travel management areas. A F&W pilot assisted the patrols utilizing Department Aircraft. More than fifteen citations and warnings were issued for travel management violations.

Unlawful Robotic Waterfowl DecoyAn Ontario F&W trooper contacted three waterfowl hunters that were using robotic decoys while waterfowl hunting. The hunters were cited for Use of Motorized or Battery Operated Decoys.

Poachers caught by OSP with help from TIP and video footageOSP Fish and Wildlife recently investigated three unlawfully taken elk in Enterprise. During the investigation, troopers found that three individuals had unlawfully taken three cow elk from a main county road in Enterprise. A witness of the event filmed the episode and provided it to troopers as an accurate account of what took place. The suspects were cited for Unlawful Take Elk-Prohibited Area.

Enforcement of Wildlife Laws

OSP Fish & Wildlife received a report that a subject had just shot a buck deer and was gutting it out. The reporting party stated that he was 1000 yards away and was watching the subject. He added that the suspect may have spotted him and appeared to be trying to leave the area quickly. A trooper responded to a campsite in the area, and found a fire still burning and a tent set up with a few items around. A truck pulled up and stopped a few hundred yards away and turned around and took off at a high rate of speed back up the ridge. The trooper got into his patrol truck and attempted to catch up to the suspicious vehicle but was unable to locate it. A Patrol trooper intercepted the vehicle and detained the suspect. The F&W trooper interviewed the suspect, who admitted to shooting a forked horn buck and leaving it up by his campsite. The suspect was arrested for illegal take of buck deer and DUII after providing a breath sample of .20 BAC.

A Fish and Wildlife sergeant responded to a trespass complaint near Knappa regarding a large group of subjects who had killed two elk on posted private property. Upon the sergeants arrival, one and a half hours after the elk were killed, one of the subjects desperately tried to validate his elk tag. The group initially claimed to have permission, but when the out of town landowner was contacted he denied ever giving the group permission. A 5x5 bull and a 6x6 bull were seized, and two subjects were cited for Hunt in Violation of Criminal Trespass. One was also cited criminally for Fail to Immediately Validate Big Game Tag.

Two Fish and Wildlife troopers responded to a report of a trespasser who had killed a bull elk in a field west of Forest Grove. During the recovery, OSP received a report of a second bull elk shot without permission on the adjacent property. All associated landowners wished to press charges. Each trooper seized one elk, one tag, and cited one subject for Hunting on the Cultivated or Enclosed Lands of Another. The Troopers also received word of a dead spike elk nearby that had been shot 5 times but was unclaimed. The reporting party had voluntarily field dressed the elk to assist responding troopers. While loading the elk, one of the troopers noticed the back straps had been removed from the elk. The one individual who had field dressed the elk admitted to removing the back straps and tenderloins as a “finder’s fee” for calling in the elk and cleaning it. That subject was warned for Unlawful Possession – Spike Elk and the meat was recovered. The seized elk were cut and wrapped for storage as evidence while the salvaged elk was donated to the local food bank.

Gold Beach Fish & Wildlife troopers conducted a pontoon patrol on the lower Elk River from the Iron Head Boat Ramp to the mouth of the river. One warning and one citation were issued for Fail to Immediately Validate Harvest Tag.

Enforcement of Wildlife Laws

Season one Harvest

Thanksgiving HarvestHunter’s First Harvest

Youth Hunt

Future Hunters Assist with Harvest

Elk Harvest

Numerous successful hunters in the NCTMA shared their harvest photos with our Fish & Wildlife troopers throughout the various seasons.

A Fish & Wildlife trooper located a hunter dragging out a large 4x5 buck in the closing days of General Western Oregon Buck Season. He was happy to have the Trooper take a few trophy shots with his great buck.

Hunter’s first bull elk, taken in Washington county the second day of season.

Two bull elk taken in Yamhill County opening day of Coast elk 1st season.

A F&W trooper contacted an elk camp in the Silvies unit where a juvenile female hunter had harvested a 5x5 bull that was sick. The carcass of the elk was almost all bones with very little meat on it. The camp hunters indicated that the bull also had a tumor around the brisket area that they cut out after skinning it. The trooper assisted an ODFW Biologist with the case, and took care of the disposal of the sick elk carcass. The juvenile hunter decided to tag and keep the horns to the elk as it was her first bull, rather than being issued a replacement tag by ODFW.

Youth Hunter on the last day of season.

SUCCESSFUL HUNTERS

Successful Hunters in Oregon’s North Coast Travel Managment Area

A report was received of a cow elk that was possibly shot and wounded in Wheeler County. After dispatching the sick cow elk, an investigation determined that the elk wasn’t shot but possibly struck by a vehicle. When examining the elk, one of its hoofs was found to have the elk hoof disease. The ODFW District Biologist in Heppner was notified and upon his request, the infected hoof along with a normal one was removed and taken to him.

OSP Fish and Wildlife received a report of a buck deer trapped within the gates of a business in Crooked River Ranch. Upon arrival the buck was still wandering within the property looking for a place to get out. Numerous attempts to contact an owner or manager were unsuccessful. A trooper drove to the local saloon and the patrons knew exactly who owned the business and provided a phone number. The owners were contacted and responded to let the buck out.

A F&W trooper responded to a report of a doe with a cable wrapped tightly around it in Crooked River Ranch. The trooper directed Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists to the area and the doe was located and tranquilized. The cable was removed from the doe and it was revived successfully.

Enforcement of General LawsFish and Wildlife troopers patrolling the Winchuck River located a suspicious vehicle parked next to private property. A search of the area revealed two subjects who were cutting special forest products used for Christmas wreaths. Investigation revealed the subjects had been picking products in Oregon for the past week and had not been complying with their permit requirements. The permits provided limited their harvest to certain areas and had a maximum harvest of 400lbs. Both subjects admitted to knowingly going over their limit per their permit. The subjects also admitted to knowingly not maintaining records regarding their product harvest, as required. All products were seized. The case is being forwarded to the Local Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer.

While patrolling rifle elk hunters in the sixes unit a F&W trooper noticed a vehicle parked on the shoulder of the roadway. All of the surrounding property was closed for all public access. Inspection of the vehicle revealed around 40lbs of Chanterelle mushrooms. Soon after arriving, a male subject emerged from the woods carrying a bucket of mushrooms. Investigation revealed the subject did not have permission to pick the mushrooms on the private property. The subject stated that the other mushrooms had come from “down the road on public land.” Further investigation revealed the subject also did not have a permit for the mushrooms harvested on public land. Around 40lbs of Mushrooms were seized and will be donated to the mission.

In November of 2016, an Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish & Wildlife Trooper responded to a location near Elgin, Oregon where two large bull elk were shot and completely left to waste. At the time, OSP was not able to develop any suspects and therefor, put forward a public request for information relating to the unlawful taking of the two bull elk. Through the assistance of the Oregon Hunter's Association Turn-In-Poacher (TIP) program, as well as the public information request, three suspects were identified and following the investigation, were charged with multiple wildlife offenses.

One of the individuals, Nathan William Crouch (27) of Elgin, was recently sentenced for his involvement with these crimes after admitting that he was the one that shot both elk. On November 27, 2017, Crouch plead guilty to four misdemeanor offenses and Union County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Powers sentenced Crouch with the following: 60 days in jail, an 8 year hunting license suspension as well as other stipulations, and $17,500 in restitution, $16,000 of which will go to the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife.

In an Elkhorn Media Group article, Union County Senior Deputy District Attorney, Christopher L. Storz commented that "The defendants in this case just left these animals to rot. They took nothing and by the time they were found, no meat was salvageable. Cases like this one emphasize the need for felonies in the Oregon Game Code, something that currently just isn't provided for under Oregon law".

Under current Oregon law, wildlife offenses such as this can only be charged as a class A misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of one year in jail and fines not to exceed $6,250.

According to Lieutenant Tim Schwartz of the Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division; "Unfortunately, we see cases like this every year throughout the state and many times there is little evidence available at the scene to identify the suspect(s). In this specific case, the public's involvement was paramount and is an excellent example of the community and law enforcement, coming together to apprehend the individuals responsible". Captain Jeff Samuels, who is the Division Director for the Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division, expressed thanks to the Trooper, public and the Union County District Attorney's Office for making sure this case was followed through.

A John Day area trooper recently received the following court dispositions on cases that he had completed: Two subjects pled guilty to Unlawful cutting and transport of Special Forest Products and each received a $435.00 fine. A subject pled guilty Aiding in a game Violation (Decoy operation). The subject received a 3 year hunting license suspension, $450.00 fine, and $250.00 restitution to OHA Decoy Fund. Another Subject pled guilty to Exceeding Bag Limit of game mammal / Unlawfully and Knowingly Hunt from a motor vehicle, 3 year hunting license suspension, $450.00 fine, and $250.00 restitution to OHA Decoy Fund.

A trooper on the Burns Team received the following disposition from the Harney County Circuit Court involving an individual that Exceeded the bag limit of antelope and wasted an antelope during the 2017 Season:36 month Hunting License Suspension6 months bench probation$100 in fines$3100 in restitution

A man plead guilty in Wasco County to charges relating to a criminal Fish & Wildlife investigation that occured last archery season. The man was seen shooting arrows at a deer on private property without permission from a public highway. When he was confronted by a neighbor, he ran over a garbage can and fled the scene. It was subsequently proven that he illegally took a deer on private property and returned later that same day in a second vehicle to retrieve the deer. The man was sentenced to the following:15 days jail3 year hunting suspension$1535.00 restitution (Deer, TIP Reward, and Garbage Can)Forfeiture of Deer and Bow

A trooper on the South Coast Marine Team received the following notice of disposition on a subject that was cited for selling sport caught Tuna in Gold Beach: $500 Fine $800 restitution for value of tuna18 month probation including an angling prohibition

Case Dispositions

T U R N I N P O A C H E R S

What Should I Report?

POACHING (otherwise known as the illegal take of game or fish), trespassing, littering, theft, destroying of property and road closure violations. Poaching affects all Oregonians. When making a report, provide as much of the following information as possible:

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

The TIP reward is paid for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the illegal killing or taking of wildlife and/or for illegally obtaining Oregon hunting/angling licenses or tags.

People who “work” the system and falsely apply for resident license or tags are not legally hunting and/or angling and are considered poachers.

TIP rewards can also be given for the illegal taking, netting, snagging, and/or dynamiting of salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and/or large numbers of any fish listed in Oregon statue as a game fish.

Rewards:

$1,000 Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Moose $500 Elk, Deer, Antelope $300 Bear, Cougar, Wolf $300 Habitat Destruction $200 Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags

$100 Game Fish, Shellfish$100 Upland Birds, Waterfowl$100 Fur Bearers

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

Oregon State Police work hand in hand with OHA and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to ensure that present and future generations have a hunt-able wildlife resource. OHA sponsors the Turn In Poachers (TIP) program,

which rewards individuals who help catch poachers.

OREGON STATE POLICEFish & Wildlife Division

Interested in becoming an Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Trooper?

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For more information, please visit our website at:

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Questions? Please call 503-378-4931 or email OSP Training Division:

Senior Trooper Tiffany Lynn @ Tiffany.lynn@state.or.us

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“Assuring compliance with the laws which protect and enhance the long-term health and equitable utilization of Oregon’s fish, wildlife, and habitat resources.”

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