Oregon State Police. Fish & Wildlife. The Field Review. Winter 2016/2017

Transcription

1 Oregon State Police Winter 2016/2017 Fish & Wildlife The Field Review

2 The winter was tough for Oregon's wildlife. ODFW, OSP and Oregon Shed Hunters ask people to follow these rules in continuing to protect big game during vulnerable times of the year: Don t disturb big game animals: Don t approach animals or follow the same ones on a daily basis. Don t take vehicles off-roading. The ground is water-logged at this time of year and off-roading in the wrong place can damage critical wildlife and fish habitat. Travel by foot or horseback instead. Don t be in the same spot every day. Deer and elk might need to be in that spot for food or cover, and your presence will keep them from it. Keep dogs under your control. Don t let dogs approach or follow wildlife. State law prohibits dogs (and people) from harassing wildlife. (OAR and ) Don t trespass on private property. You always need permission to be on private land. Antlers that are shed on private land below to the landowner under Oregon statutes. Photo Credit: Oregon Shed Hunters Reminder to Shed Hunters...

3 Administration and Enforcement of Wildlife Laws Unlawful Hunting USFWS agents and F&W Troopers from the Albany office conducted a joint operation to determine the validity of an anonymous complaint regarding the unlawful use of motorized decoys for waterfowl hunting. Subsequent to the investigation, four subjects were contacted after they left their private hunting lease. The subjects admitted to unlawfully hunting and were cited by the Troopers for Hunting Waterfowl with a Motorized Decoy. Additionally, one subject was cited for No 2017 Resident Hunting License. Four shotguns and three motorized decoys were seized. Illegal Use of Motorized Decoy A F&W Senior Trooper out of the Springfield office worked duck hunters in the Royal Amazon Unit. The Trooper observed three hunters illegally using a motorized spinning wing duck decoy. The hunters were contacted and each issued a citation for Hunting Waterfowl Prohibited Method: Motorized Decoy. One of the hunters also was issued a citation for No Waterfowl Validation. Four ducks were seized. Duck Hunters Checked Exceeding Allowed Limit A F&W Senior Trooper from the Hermistion office responded to a call of late shooters on private property. The landowener stated there were violations being committed on a pond located on his property. The Trooper contacted two juveniles leaving the area in a side by side ATV. The juveniles were found to be in possession of more than twice their daily limit of ducks. Both were cited for Exceeding Bag Limit of Ducks. A F&W Trooper out of the Tillamook office, made contact with two subjects duck hunting on Tillamook Bay. It was found that one subject had a sports Pac but had not gotten a Harvest Information Program (HIP) validation, or a waterfowl validation. The other subject had a recreational combination license but did not have any HIP validations or a waterfowl validation. Each subject was educated on the importance of having validations.

4 Salvaged Elk. Elk Struck by Train A F&W Trooper from the Oakridge office salvaged a rail struck bull elk along the Union Pacific Railroad line near the McCredie Station access. Union Pacific Railroad reported the elk had been struck by a passing train. The Trooper dispatched the elk and salvaged the meat which was donated to a local area church. Administration and Enforcement of Wildlife Laws Craigslist Ad Seller Disregards Advice Given A F&W Trooper from the La Pine office received a complaint of a subject selling two sets of mule deer antlers on Craigslist. The subject was contacted by the Trooper via the phone and informed of the legality of selling antlers. The subject disregarded the anonymous advice and proceeded to make contact with an additional anonymous F&W Trooper trying to secure a sell. The second Trooper made arrangements to meet at the subject s residence, and in doing so, seized the antlers that were unlawfully possessed. The subject was cited for Unlawful Sale of Wildlife Parts and was advised that he should have taken the advice of the first anonymous caller. Injured Red Tail Hawk A Fish and Wildlife Senior Trooper from the Prineville office received a report of a sick/injured Red Tail Hawk in Madras. The Trooper responded along with an ODFW biologist out of Prineville with catch equipment. The hawk was located and captured before being taken to a rehabilitation facility. Salvaged Elk. Trask River Area Elk F&W Troopers from the Tillamook office responded to the Trask River area where a subject was seen shooting at cow elk. Upon arrival, the Troopers located two cow elk that had been shot and had fallen into the Bark Shanty Creek which is tributary to the Trask River. After a lengthy salvage, which required removing the elk from the swollen river, the meat of both cow elk was donated. Unrelated to the active cow elk investigation, Troopers located several subjects packing a bull elk out of a nearby clear-cut. Upon inspection of the hunter s tag, it was found not to have been validated. This subject was cited for Fail to Validate Game Tag. Cover Photo: Cape Falcon, Oregon

5 Three Elk Poached A F&W Senior Trooper from the Enterprise office was dispatched to the Imnaha Wildlife Management Unit: Big Sheep Creek Canyon, where three cow elk were unlawfully shot and left to waste. The suspect fled the scene after his activity was witness by a hunter. The hunter and Trooper quartered all three elk through the night. The next day, the Trooper located the suspect while he was on his way out of the woods. When he was questioned, he stated that he stayed out all night and had lost his rifle after falling. Ultimately, the Trooper cited the poacher for Unlawful Take X 3, Hunt without a Tag X 3, and Waste of Elk X 3. The portions that could be salvaged, were packed out the next day with the help of ODFW personnel and additional F&W Troopers. The meat was donated to a local charity. Convicted Felons Waste Mule Deer F&W Senior Troopers from the La Pine office followed up with three convicted felons whom had been involved in the closed season take and waste of a mule deer doe. Two of the subjects were cited for Aiding and Waste. A third subject with multiple felony convictions is believed to be the one to have shot the deer and responsible for hiding of the rifle. He was taken into custody and lodged at the Deschutes County Jail. Poaching in the Dixon Unit F&W Troopers from the Central Point office ran a deer decoy in the Dixon Unit which is closed to deer archery hunting. One vehicle that saw the decoy pulled down the road; a guy jumped into the bed of the truck and then drove back up toward the decoy. The subject in the back of the truck then shot at the decoy with a rifle and immediately told the driver to Go. The vehicle was pulled over and the shooter admitted to shooting the deer. The poacher was cited for Take/Possession of Buck Deer. Later, another vehicle was stopped; the passenger got out and snuck up on the deer on the roadway shooting at the decoy with a bow and arrow. The poacher was cited for Take/Possession of Buck Deer. Thieves of the Woods: Poachers Deer Dumped at Boat Ramp A F&W Trooper out of the Coos Bay office responded to a report of five deer that had been dumped at a local boat ramp. One forked-horn buck, three does and one female fawn were located. All the meat was left to waste except the hindquarters from the fawn and one of the hindquarters from one of the does. The investigation revealed that the fawn and two of the does were likely killed with a high-powered rifle, as all the shots were through-and-through. The third doe appeared to have been road struck while the buck appeared to have been killed with a bow.

6 OSP Catches Poachers... Spike Elk Unlawfully Shot to Cover up Shooting of Calf Elk A F&W Senior Trooper from the Roseburg office received information that two individuals had shot a cow elk the previous weekend and drove off, however the animal was gone the next day. The witness obtained the license plate information and gave it to the Trooper. The Trooper went to the registered owner s home to find the subject in the middle of cutting up elk meat. The subject said it was his girlfriend s spike elk and to prove so, unburied a spike elk head that had her tag attached to it. Eventually the truth was revealed; the female shot a calf elk accidentally, so the boyfriend, who had no tag, then shot the spike elk. The two dispatched the calf elk; covering it with ferns and branches and leaving it to waste. The male was cited for Unlawful Take Spike Elk and Aiding while the female was cited for Unlawful Take Cow Elk and Waste of Game Mammal. The spike was seized and donated to charity; the rifle used by the male was also seized. Poachers Caught Spotlighting A F&W Sergeant out of the Springfield office spotted a vehicle in the Booth Kelly area that appeared to be using a spotlight. He contacted a F&W Trooper Pilot requesting assistance with following the suspect s vehicle. The pilot maintained observation of the suspect s vehicle noting several times that a spotlight was being shone out the passenger and driver's side of the vehicle. The F&W Sergeant, along with additional F&W Troopers out of the Springfield office, drove to the location of the suspect vehicle, which had now stopped while the occupants were observed outside of the vehicle using a flashlight in a clear-cut. The suspects were in the process of bringing a three point buck blacktail deer to the landing where their pickup had been parked. When interviewed, the driver and shooter told the Sergeant he had shot the deer, while using a spotlight because he was greedy. The passenger attempted to deny any involvement, stating that they had shot the deer the day before and was just now able to find it. He eventually admitted to holding the spotlight while the driver shot the deer. The driver and passenger were cited for Hunting with the Aid of Light and Aiding in a Wildlife Crime. The rifle, spotlight, and deer were seized. The deer was salvaged and donated to a local charity. While on Winter Range Patrol... While on an enhanced winter range mule deer saturation patrol, a F&W Trooper from the La Pine office observed four subjects in a vehicle with a coyote on the roof. The Trooper stopped the vehicle and noticed an odor of a fresh deer coming from the vehicle, blood on the subject s clothing and deer hair in the vehicle. The subjects admitted to cutting the antlers off of a road kill. During interviews, one subject admitted to shooting a four point buck and cutting the antlers off. Further investigation led the Trooper to a Christmas Valley residence where a relative of the subject(s) used a tractor to dispose of two deer. The Trooper noticed the subject had swept over his tire tracks in an attempt to hide the location of the dumped deer. Continuation of the investigation revealed an additional deer that had been shot and left to waste. The four poachers were cited for T aking Deer Closed Season-3x counts, Unlawful Possession of Deer-3x counts, and Aiding in a Wildlife Crime. In addition, the driver was also cited for Driving while Suspended and Uninsured. The vehicle was impounded and an AR-15 was seized.

7 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. 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, ect.) - Date and time of violation/activity - Description of any vehicle involved - Name and/or description of violator Why Should I Report Violators? 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 In Poachers (TIP): The TIP reward is paid for information leading to the issuance of a citation to person (s) for the illegal possession, killing, 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, steelhead, sturgeon, and/or large numbers of any fish listed in Oregon statue 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 license or tags are not legally hunting and/or angling and are considered poachers. Rewards: $1,000 Bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose $500 Elk, deer, antelope $300 Bear, Cougar, Wolf $300 Habitat Destruction $200 Ilegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags $100 Game fish, shellfish $100 Upland Birds, Waterfowl $100 Furbearers TIP PROGRAM Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators OR *677 TIP@state.or.us Dispositions: A poacher charged criminally for Unlawful Take Buck Deer and Tampering with Physical pled to the charges in a Linn County Court. The plea deal stipulated the following: - Nearly $4500 in fines, restitutions and court costs - Forfeiteure of the four point buck deer - Hunting license suspension for 36 months A poacher who shot two buck deer after dark in Linn County, was charged with multiple crimes and pled to the charges in a Linn County Court. The plea deal stipulated the following: - Probation for 72 months - Hunting license suspension for 36 months - Forfeiture of a rifle and both buck deer - Over $9, in fines, restitution and court fees A poacher who shot a Wildlife Enforcement Decoy pled to Hunting Prohibited Hours in a Linn County Court. The plea deal stipulated the following: - $ in fines and court fees - Forfeiture of the rifle used and a 36-month hunting suspension A nighttime Wildlife Enforcement Decoy operation in rural Linn County resulted in a poacher shooting the buck deer decoy approximately ten times with a 22 caliber rifle. The plea deal on this case out of a Linn County Court, resulted in the following: - Forfeiture of rifle and shell casings - Hunting license suspension for 36 months - Bench probation for 48 months - Court fees and fines totaling $1,069.00

8 Columbia River: The Dalles Pool Patrol F&W Troopers from The Dalles office, along with an OSP volunteer, conducted a boat patrol on the Columbia River on The Dalles Pool. Nine boats and twenty-five anglers were contacted resulting in one citation for No 2017 Resident Angling License and No PFD. Another person was warned for No PFD and both were loaned a couple of PFDs so their voyages could continue. Wild Trout Released... Administration and Enforcement of Angling Laws A F&W Trooper from the Oakridge office patrolled at Hills Creek Reservoir. Over the two day period, he checked twenty anglers and inspected two boats. During the angler contacts, he issued one citation to an angler for Take/ Possession of Non-Fin Clipped (Wild) Trout. The trout was still alive on the stringer and was able to be released back into the reservoir. Great Catch! A F&W Trooper from the Pendlton office was patrolling on the Columbia River for waterfowl and steelhead anglers, when he stopped at McNary Dam and contacted two anglers above the dam. One of the anglers had just caught a nice 30 inch steelhead, which the Trooper confirmed had been tagged properly.

9 F&W Troopers from the Madras and Bend offices conducting an ATV patrol west of Sisters.

10 Mule Deer Rescue. A F&W Senior Trooper from the Prineville office received report from citizen of a deer stuck on the ice at the Prineville Reservoir. The deer could not get up, due to the ice and was visible to nearby houses. F&W Troopers responded with safety lines, PFD s and a sit-on-top kayak which easily pushed through the ice to get to the yearling mule deer. The exhausted deer was recovered and brought back to shore where it was wrapped in blankets to warm it up.

11 Illegal Fireworks shot into the Forest A Fish & Wildlife Trooper out of the McMinnville office was advised of a suspected vehicle that had been shooting illegal fireworks into the forest, through a window, as it was in motion. The trooper responded to the area, determining the vehicle had already left. Another motorist stopped and advised the trooper that he had just pulled the same vehicle out of the snow, it was eastbound about 10 minutes ahead of him, and that the driver had a gun and a knife in the vehicle. The Washington County Sheriff s Office was notified and the vehicle was spotted. After stopping the vehicle, a subsequent search revealed a loaded.22 pistol in the center console, two large fixed blade knives concealed next to the driver s seat, an SKS rifle,.223 rifle, Remington Shotgun, 9mm pistol, and.357 revolver were hidden in the back of the vehicle in addition to four ammo cans full of various ammunition, and several roman candle fireworks (both unused and used). The driver, who was a felon, was lodged into the Washington County Jail for Concealed/Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Fireworks. All of the rifles, ammunition, and fireworks were seized as evidence. Administration and Enforcement of General Laws Steelhead Patrol Leads to Much More... A F&W Trooper from the Astoria office was patrolling the Winchuck River checking steelhead anglers when he came across two subjects parked near the river. Initially, one subject was contacted away from the other subject as he informed the trooper that they both had been fishing but had not caught anything. As the trooper was making conversation with the first subject, he watched the second subject (who was not aware that the trooper was at their location) walk out from behind a truck with an AR rifle slung from his shoulder. The second subject saw the trooper and immediately tried to hide the rifle behind his back and then quickly placed it back into the vehicle. Subsequent investigation revealed neither subject had a 2017 combined harvest tag. When the trooper ran the status of the subjects, the second subject was found to have a non-extraditable warrant out Orange County, California. A subsequent criminal history check, indicated that the subject had several prior felonies. The subject was questioned regarding the new found information and he admitted that he knew he was not supposed to have a firearm. The subject then agreed to a consent search of the vehicle and told the trooper that everything inside the vehicle was his. As a result of the search, 6.9 grams of methamphetamine,.9 grams of heroin, and various controlled substance paraphernalia were discovered along with 96 live rounds of AR ammunition and an additional 30 round magazine. All items were seized. The Subject was cited for Possession of Weapon by Felon, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Heroin.

12 i Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division "Assuring compliance with the laws which protect and enhance the long-term health and equitable utilization of Oregon's fish, wildlife, and habitat resources." Interested in becoming an Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Trooper? Exciting, Rewarding and Challenging... A career that makes a difference! For information and to download an application, please visit our website at: Questions? Please call or OSP Training Division: Senior Trooper Tiffany Tiffany.lynn@state.or.us Click Picture for OSP Fish and Wildlife Recruitment Video Follow us on