SALEM, Ore.-Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish and Wildlife is asking for help from the public in identifying poachers in Umatilla and Morrow Counties.
According to the OSP, branch bull elk were unlawfully killed near Hermiston and Heppner in two separate incidents in September.
On September 5, OSP Fish and Wildlife Troopers responded to a report of a 6×6 bull elk killed on private property near the Cold Springs National Wildlife Refuge.
It is believed that the elk was killed and left at the scene between September 4 and 5, and no meat was able to be salvaged from the animal.
Anyone with information on the poaching in Umatilla County is encouraged to contact the Oregon State Police Dispatch at 1-800-452-7888, *OSP (*677), or email at TIP@osp.oregon.gov. Please reference OSP case number SP25-395113.
On the morning of September 19, a bull elk was also illegally killed on private property, near the intersection of Forest Service Road 21 and Sunflower Flat Road, in Morrow County.
According to the OSP, most of the meat from this elk was taken from the scene, but some was left behind.
Anyone with any information on the poaching in Morrow County is encouraged to contact OSP Dispatch at 1-800-452-7888, *OSP (*677), or email at TIP@osp.oregon.gov and reference case number SP25-410093.
Tips on the individual or people responsible for poaching may be submitted to Oregon’s Turn In Poachers (TIP) program, which offers preference point rewards, as well as the opportunity for cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or citation for poaching.
The TIP program is a collaborative effort between several state agencies, including Oregon State Police, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitter and Guides Association, and the Oregon State Marine Board.
