Fish & Wildlife.... ca-1ansqra.mr.,, The Field Review

Transcription

1 Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife... ca-1ansqra.mr.,, The Field Review

2 LAKEVIEW, ORE- Deer season arrived with much anticipation and a very quick transition from summer to fall weather. Trooper Tague in Lakeview, granted me the privilege of rid ing along with him on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday dawned with unsettled, windy. and cold weather. Ju st outside of Lakeview we saw a coyote, and a short ways later a bobcat, out looking for their breakfast. It's going to be a good day! We started working our way through the large number of road hunters and camps that signal opening weekend has commenced. Working towards the Oregon and California border revealed it to be a popular hunting area. After turning around at the border we observed a couple of people dragging a buck through the sage. Contact resulted in checking a young lady with the first buck she had ever harvested and her proud father. Trooper Tague knew both the subjects and shared with me later that they had recently been through a traumatic event and it was great to see them out sharing the hunting experience. Trooper Tague assisted the father in dragging the forked horn the last 'A mile or so back to their pickup. Trooptr Togut chtcldng a young lady's fim Buck. Photo Crtdit OSP File Shortly after breaking contact with the lucky hunter, we observed two subjects with one rifle southbound on an ATV. One subject had a valid California deer tag and neither had Oregon tags. After a few questions it was evident that the subject wasn't sure where the state line was. He was warned and provided with a lesson in geography that got him back into California. In the afternoon we set up a deer enforcement decoy in the Warner Unit, which is one of the mule deer initiative units that ODFW has done extra habitat improvement projects in and other work to enhance the deer population. Ninety minutes in the cold as the observer, allowed me to watch four vehicles go by at high speed without observing the decoy. Deer Season Late in t he afternoon Trooper Tague received a call from a Lake County Deputy, who was working on the other side of town checking a complaint, about a camp blocking a public road. Checking the camp revealed two bucks hanging on the meat pole; one with a tag from a unit approximately three hours away, and the other with the appropriate tag, but it hadn't been vali dated. We arrived and established that both bucks had been taken near the camp. One subject was cited for Unlawfully harvest it were seized. The other subject warnedf -1"11! 2 SubmltteCi by: Lt. Devid Gifford, SW Region Sunday morning Trooper Tague picked me up and advised that we were headed for Plush where he had received information that a party may have exceeded the limit on deer. While drivingfoto town I observed a buck ha~ng on a tree partially spended in the back of a pickup. A nice 3Xi+ buck was harvested and tagge!i property ~ya subjec at was 97 years young. His hunting partner for years complained that he's over 60 yerrs old and eryone in camp still calls him "The Kid". Continutd on nexr pogt:- t ~ 3 1

3 We also checked another hunter as he and friend s were skinning a large, mature buck. We received a possible exceeding complaint however a check at a nearby residence revealed two legally tagged animals and no evidence of exceeding. Trooper Tague had another possible violation reported in the Summer Lake area and we were off again. Several raptors were observed along the way and two couples out birding were contacted. Upon arrival at Summer Lake, Trooper Tague made contact with a subject reported the day before, for harvesting a buck on Summer Lake Wildlife Area (SLWA) without the appropriate Day Use Permit. The subject explained his side of the story and Trooper Tague advised him he would get back to him after further discussion with ODFW staff at Summer Lake. Two subjects were observed inside a closed area in SLWA and we started off on foot to make contact with themesanimpressiw storm worked its way over the top of Winter Rim. The subjects were contacted and advised they were in e closed area. One of the subjects said he only had an old map of the area (which hasn't changed, and still h.cl the current area regulations on the back.) The subjects were warned and escorted out of the area. A cross country journey back towards town resulted in several more contacts and a couple of more cases. Rounding a corner on one of the paved Forest Service roads a subject was observed in the driver's seat of a vehicle with a rifle barrel out the window aimed over the bank. When contacted the subject said he was just using the scope to look at what he thought was a deer over the side. When asked why he didn't use the binoculars on the dash right in front of him, the subject admitted that he knew he was in the wrong. He was issued a violation citation for Hunting with the Aid of a Motor Vehicle. A camp check a little further on revealed a forked horn on a meat pole with the tag wrapped around an antler. Closer inspection showed the tag was clearly not validated. After locating the responsible party, a violation citation was issued for Fail to Validate Deer Tag. Continuing onward with our patrol. we checked a family trying not to freeze up while dad worked on a buck harvested by one of his youn young man had taken the buck under the mentored youth program. When I asked if this was his first deer, the voung men deer he had harvested in two years. Way to go!

4 Trooper from the John Day office, RI+!~ contacted the lucky recipient of the once in a lifeti me Mountain Goat tag. The hunter located and stalked within forty yards of the Billie while it foraged on the top of Strawberry Mountain. After two hours, the hunter harvested the trophy Mountain Goat. The Trooper helped the hunter locate the ODFW office so he could check the goat in. Congratulations! Spotted from Aircraft, Stopped by Ground Patrol F&W Troopers from the Central Point and Grants Pass office worked with a F&W Pilot during an enforcement patrol. By using the plane, the Troopers were able to spot a vehicle driving slowly and then stop in several meadows and shine a flashlight. It is thought that the individuals may have spotted the plane, as they took off out of the area at a high rate of speed. A F&W Trooper was able to stop them. The individuals admitte d to casting the flashlight out of their vehicle and had a loaded pistol between the front seats. Both individuals were cited for Casting Artificial lij:ht While Armed. A F&W Trooper from the Burns office responded to a call of a male adult driving around the city of Burns in an automobile with a deceased Mule Deer fawn strapped to the hood of the car. The Trooper contacted the subject at a local Taxidermy and questioned him about the incidenl The male subject who was from Missouri, indicated he hit the fawn early in the morning near his hotel and placed it on the hood of his car to take it to the taxidermy shop to get a life sized mount done for a souvenir of his trip to Oregon. The male su bject was issued a citation for Unlawful Take/Possession of Anterless Deer. Hunters Find Dead Deer and Salvage Meat for Donation A F&W Senior Trooperfrom the John Day office responded to the report of a recently poached buck in the field west of Long Creek. The reporting party stated when they found the deer it was still limber and warm but no one was around. The reporting party stated it appeared to be from a rifle. At the Troopers request, the reporting party moved the buck to shade and gutted the deer to facilitate salvage. It was determined the 5K4 Mule Dee r buck had been shot on the south side of the highway, made it across the road through a fence, and then die d out in the open field. There was no evidence located at the scene indicating whom or with what type of firearm was used. The deer was deemed fit for consumption and taken to a local processor to be donated. A F&W Recruit from the Astoria office responded to a game compliant. near Seaside, of a dead bull elk on private property that looked suspicious. With the assistance of a F&W Senior Trooper from the Astoria office, an investigation revealed multiple neighbors removed the elk from a creek. cut the head off the five-point bull elk and took it home. The subject. who cut the head off, explained he did this because he wanted to return the head to whoever lost the animal but admitted that he would have kept the head if he was unable to locate the hunter. Investigation also revealed that the cause of the elk's death was likely road struck. The subject who retained the head was cite d for Take/Possession Bull Elk Head and Antlers and the head was seized as evidence.

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6 TIP PROGRAM t Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators t TIP@state.or.us What Shoul I Repo t POACHING (otherwise known as the illegal take of game or fish), trespassing. littering. theft. destroying of property and road closure violations. 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 Why should I R I Poachers Convicted and Sentenced: On November lb, 2014, OSP Fish and Wildlife Troopers received an anonymous tip of poaching activity in the Metolius Wildlife Management Unit. near Terrebonne. An investigation ensued, resulting in three separate search warrants being served and multiple criminal citations being issued to Justin APLIN, age 43. of Central Point and his father, Jerry APLIN, age 65. of Terrebonne. On September 30, 2016, following a 3 day criminal trial. Justin and Jerry APLIN were convicted and sentenced in Jefferson County Circuit Court for the poaching. Justin APLIN was convicted of the Unlawful Take of the Trophy Buck and Borrowing a Big Game Tag. Jerry APLIN was convicted of Loaning a Big Game Tag and Aiding in a Wildlife Violation. They were ordered to pay restitution to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) in the amount of $7.500 for the trophy buck. In addition, their hunting privileges were suspended for a period of three years and they were both placed on probation for one year. Poaching affects all Oregonians: - Poachers STEAL your opportunity to hunt and fish legally - Poaching negatively impacts the ability to enjoy the outdoors More about Turn tt o e!\jtlf.} The TIP reward is paid for information leading to the arrest/conviction of person(s) for the illegal possession, ki lling, taking, and/or waste of deer, elk, antelope, bear, cougar, big horn sheep, mountain goat, moose, and/or game birds. TIP rewards can also be given for the illegal taking, netting, snagging, and/or dynamiting of salmon, steel head, sturgeon, and/or large numbers of any fish listed in Oregon statute as a game fish. In addition, a reward may be issued for information that results in an arrest/conviction of a person who has illegally obtained Oregon hunting/angling license or tags. People who "work" the system and falsely apply for resident licenses and/or tags are not legally hunting and/or angling and are considered poachers. 10 Rewards: $100 Game Fish $100 Upland Birds $250 Deer, Bear, Antelope and Cougar $500 Elk. Big Horn Sheep, Moose and Mountain Goat

7 Hunters: Follow Import regulations to l<eep Oregon Chronic Wasting Disease free No bringing In certain deer, ell< or moose parts from states with Chronic Wasting Disease SALEM, Ore.-Are you planning to hunt deer, elk or moose in another state? Oregon State Police and ODFW want to remind you of import restrictions meant to keep Oregon free of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). It is illegal to bring any deer, elk or moose part containing central nervous system tissue (such as whole heads or spinal columns) h110 Oregon from states or Canadian provinces with a documented case of CWD. OSP has already seen several cases this year of Oregonians hunting out of state who are not following these regulations and bringing in parts with central nervous system tissue. The prions that cause CWD can last a long time in the environment. If the head and spinal column of an infened animal is disposed of in areas where Oregon's deer, elk or moose could encounter the prions. the scate's native wildlife could contract the disease. The following states or provinces have reported documented case(s) of Chronic Wasting Disease: Alberta, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York. North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsytvanfa, South Dakota, Texas, Utah. Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming and Saskatchewan. Hunters who harvested an animal in these statu or provinces need to follow the import restrictions and not bring in certain parts of their animal The following parts may be brought into Oregon from states and provinces with CWD: Meat that is cut and wrapped commercially or privately; Meat that has been boned out; Quarters or other portions of mea1 with no part of the spinal column or head attached; Hides and/or capes with no head auached; Skull plates with antlers attached tha1 have been cleaned of all meat and brain tissue; Antlers wi1h no!issue auached (Velvet antlers are allowed); Upper canine teeth (buglers, whis1lers, ivories) Finished taxidermy heads. Hunters bringing parts containing central nervous system tissues may be subject to a citation, and illegal parts will be conliscated. lbout Chronic Wastin~ Disease Stock Photo of Dctr wltll CMonlc WoSt/ng Dis<0se. ~ ' tt' W~ "' ~. w, CWD is untreatable, damaging the brain of infected deer. elk and moose and typically causing progressive loss of body condition. The disease is always fatal to these anima!s, and no state or province with documen1ed cases of CWD has been able to eradicate it. No evidence has been found to suggest CWD can be transmitted to people, but hunters should take precautions when hunting and dressing game. Hunters should avoid harvesting any animal that appears sick or has unusual behavior. Disposable gloves should be wom when dressing game and mea1 should be cooked to 16S degrees. For more information on CWD. check the ODFW website by clicking on the following link: 12

8 Joint Columbia River Patrol with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife No Wholesale License A F&W Senior Trooper from the Newport office conducted an investigation on a commercial fish dealer in the greater Portland area. The investigation revealed the dealer purchased fish in Winchester Bay without a Wholesale and Buyers license. This dealer eventually obtained his wholesale license but not a Buyer's license. A second purchase of fish was made in Winchester Bay. When the fish ticket was sent in. the dealer sent in his application for a Buyer's license. The dealer was cited for No Wholesale license for the first landing and warned for No Buyers license. The dealer was cited for No Buyers license for the second landing. Tuna not Recorded on Fish Ticket A F&W SeniorTrooperfrom the Coos Bay office cited a commercial wholesale dealer in Brookings for Fail to Complete Fish Receivini: Ticket. I twas determined that on October 6, 2015, the dealer had purchased a load of tuna from a commercial vessel. The dealer failed to record the 2,586 pounds of take home tuna that the skipper retained. Seized Salmon A F&W Senior Trooper from the Astoria office cited a commercial gillnet fisherman for: F ilure to Sell Commercially Caui:ht Fish to licensed Wholesale Outer after he witnessed a man load 11 Coho and two Chinook salmon into a large cooler in the back of his SUV. The ~ub'ect had just delivered 25 Coho and two Chinook to a licensed buyer in the area. The r was just leaving the area when the Trooper arrived. An inspection of the buyer's t.l fish receipts revealed the fisherman had not included the salmon being loaded wll1'clle The fisllerimn stated he was "lust going to take them home." Thirteen - Mflillil IH'ii."'" -~ A F&W Trooper from the Astoria office participated in a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) operation focusing on observing recreational salmon anglers on the Columbia River near Rainier. A few days prior, the retention of wild Chinook salmon closed on this portion of the Columbia River. The Trooper observed salmon anglers in boats, while WDFW officers watched the same group of anglers. from land with spotting scopes. The officers watched to see what anglers were doing with wild Chinook that they caught. After observing an angler catch a salmon, put it in his cooler, then leave the area, the Trooper followed the angler to the boat ramp. The Trooper contacted the angler at the ramp where it was found that the salmon was a wild Chinook. The angler was cited for Unlawful Taklnc Non Adipose Fin Clipped Chinook Salmon. Two other anglers were observed retaining two salmon. then putting them under the bow of the boat. Upon contact. the anglers denied having retained any salmon. The anglers eventually admitted to having the two salmon (which were fin clipped). Both anglers were cited for Anflinc Prohibited Method Barbed Hooks for Salmon, and for Fail to Immediately Validate Harvest Card. Another angler was observed retaining a salmon, then leaving the area. Upon contaet. the angler denied having retained any salmon. The angler eventually admitted to having a salmon, and produced a wild Chinook with the adipose fin freshly cut off. The angler was cited for Unlawful Taking Non Adipose Fin Clipped Chinook Salmon, and for Unlawful Possession of Mutilated Salmon. Snagging Kol<anee on the Deschutes A F&W Senior Trooper from the la Pine office was watching the Sheep's Bridge area of the Deschutes River for people snagging Kokanee. Three subjects arrived and began immediately snagging spawning kokanee. The subjects snagged numerous kokanee in a short period and had retained one. All three subjects were cited for Foul-hookinc Kokanee. Angling In a Closed Area A F&W Senior Trooper from the la Pine office responded to several subjects angling in the Deschutes River above Wkkiup. The river is currently closed to protect spawning trout. The trooper contacted six anglers, who had all been contacted by other citizens and told that the river was closed to angling. They chose to ignore the advice and continued to fish. All six were cited for Ani:linc In a Closed Area.

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10 Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division Assuring compuanct with tht laws which protea and enhance tm long-tam htaldt and equitable utilization of Or*ns s futi wlldu/t. and habftot rtsourc6. lnttnsttd In becoming 1n Oregon Stitt Pollet f11h Ind Wlldllft Trooper? ~Rau:AcollldChlllqlnc A-lllat..-S14i1en Far lnl'grmltlon llld to clownldld ill applkldon, pleat visit out Wlbsb It Questions? Ptttse cmi 503' Of tllllll OSPTl'llnlnc DMslon: Senior Trooperlllfany Lynn It ~ stltlt.or.us Follow us on Twitter: f)osp Jllh