Wounded elk left to suffer marks ongoing poaching problem

Location of a spike elk that was shot and left paralyzed in Yamhill County. There is a $500 reward or four hunter preference points for information that leads to a citation or arrest in this case.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of ODFW

by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
11-12-2021
Website

SALEM, Ore.—A young elk, shot through the spine and left struggling with paralyzed hind legs, is one of three new poaching cases that mark a continued disregard for laws set in place to preserve Oregon wildlife. Poachers also shot a blacktail doe near Newport, and a cow elk near Yaquina Head.

Callers who leave information that leads to an arrest or citation in any of these cases can receive a $500 cash reward from Oregon Hunters Association or four ODFW hunter preference points.

On Oct. 29, a member of the public in rural Yamhill County contacted OSP to report seeing a spike elk that had lost use of its hind legs. A spike elk is a young male, usually about a year old. The elk was found on private property at the end of Dodson Road northwest of the city of Yamhill, in the Trask unit. At that time there were no open bull elk seasons, although there were opportunities for cow elk. 

Troopers responding to the call humanely dispatched the animal. They then followed the OSP procedure of donating meat from animals that have been killed illegally. The elk was slated to go to needy families through the Grand Ronde tribe. During processing, meat cutters found a bullet. The young elk had been shot through the spine and, in a cruel twist, left to suffer. Anyone with information should reference case #SP21306128.

On Oct. 28, a member of the public contacted OSP F&W after seeing a dead deer about 150 yards north of Euchre Creek Rd (also known as Euchre Flats Rd), in Newport. The reporting party first noticed the deer on Oct. 26. An OSP Fish & Wildlife Sergeant responded to the area and located a black-tailed doe that had been shot and left to waste. Anyone with information on this case should reference case #SP21304967. (Buck hunting seasons were open in Western Oregon in late October. While there is not evidence to indicate who shot this doe, if it was a hunter that mistook it for a buck, they should have reported the incident to OSP and not left the animal to waste.)

On Oct. 21, a hunter reported an elk carcass he came across while hunting on Hancock Forest Property Management land east of Yaquina Head. OSP Troopers located the carcass of a cow elk in a clear-cut off a spur road. Much of the meat had been removed. Troopers believe the animal had been shot the same day it was discovered and ask the public’s help in identifying a person of interest in this case. Anyone with information should reference case #SP21299105. 

Rewards stand at $500 from the Oregon Hunters Association Turn In Poachers (TIP) fund for information that leads to an arrest or citation in any poaching case. Reporting parties may opt for four hunter preference points from ODFW instead of cash. The rewards are intended as an incentive to increase the likelihood of people calling in when they have information related to crimes.

ODFW Stop Poaching campaign coordinator Yvonne Shaw believes this is a good program to have in place.

“Sometimes people aren’t sure if they should call in something suspicious,” Shaw said, “Other times they know about a crime, but they aren’t inclined to report it. The reward is an incentive.” People who call the TIP Line can remain anonymous and still collect a cash reward or hunter preference points.

The Stop Poaching Campaign educates the public on how to recognize and report poaching. This campaign is a collaboration among hunters, conservationists, land owners and recreationists. Our goal is to increase reporting of wildlife crimes through the TIP Line, increase detection by increasing the number of OSP Fish and Wildlife Troopers and increase prosecution. OHA manages the TIP Fund. This campaign helps to protect and enhance Oregon’s fish and wildlife and their habitat for the enjoyment of present and future generations. Contact campaign coordinator Yvonne Shaw for more information. Yvonne.L.Shaw@odfw.oregon.gov.

If you know of or suspect other crimes against fish wildlife or habitat, please report to the Turn In Poachers (TIP) Line. 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone. Or email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov between the hours of 8-5 Mon-Fri.





More Reports

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Friday, November 12th, 2021
: November is all about elk in Oregon
Applegate Reservoir: Appplegate Reservoir Fishing Report
Applegate River: The river is open to trout fishing through the end of the year
Ben Irving Reservoir: No recent reports from Ben Irving
Emigrant Reservoir: Nothing has changed much at Emigrant except surface temperatures
Expo Pond: Expo Pong Fishing Report
Fish Lake : The current lake level is 25 percent full and the lake is filling up
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Emergency regulations are no longer in effect at Howard Prairie
Hyatt Lake: Emergency regulations have been lifted at Hyatt Lake
Lake Selmac: Bass fishing should remain fair to good out here through the fall and winter months
Lemolo Lake: The reservoir has been drawn down for the season and is quite low
Lost Creek Lake: Trout fishing should be good
Plat I Reservoir: Temps are cooling, but the bass should still be biting
Rogue River - Middle: Bait can again be used in the entire Rogue from the mouth upstream to Fishers Ferry
Rogue River- Upper: Anglers are catching summer steelhead regularly
Rogue River- Upper (Above Lost Creek): Winter weather is starting to take hold in the upper river
Smith River: The Smith is open for Chinook fishing up the head of tide at Spencer Cr.
Willow Lake: The reservoir is starting to fill and is 42 percent full
Alsea River: Fall Chinook fishing has slowed down on the Alsea
Necanicum River: No reports of early winter steelhead yet
Nestucca River: Fishing conditions will be very poor with forecasted rains this week
Salmon River: Fall Chinook fishing has slowed down on the Salmon River
Siltcoos Lake: Fishing has picked up with the recent rain
Trask River: There are Chinook throughout the fishery at this point
Wilson River: The Wilson is known for later fall Chinook
Clackamas River: Coho fishing has been slow on the Clackamas
Detroit Reservoir: Detroit Reservoir Fishing Report
Junction City Pond: The pond was recently stocked
Sandy River: Coho fishing has been good as of late, and fishing pressure has been light
Santiam River ( North Fork) : Many public access points along the river are still closed
Santiam River (South Fork): The run this year is disappointing
Walling Pond: Recently Stocked
Walla Walla River: Walla Walla River Update
Umatilla River: Very poor Steelhead predicated returns

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Thursday, November 11th, 2021
: ODFW Recreation Report
John C Boyle Reservoir: Past net sampling showed some large yellow perch
Upper Klamath Lake: Redband trout are scattered throughout Upper Klamath Lake
Klamath River - Upper - OR: Keno Dam to J.C Boyle Reservoir Report
Miller Lake: Brown trout will begin to cruise the shoreline
Willow Valley Reservoir: Conditions are unknown