A poacher shot and gutted an elk then left it to waste in a clear cut in Lincoln County sometime between Aug. 12 and 15. OSP Fish and Wildlife troopers would like to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activity in the Logsden area during that time. Information that leads to a citation for the poacher qualifies for a $500 reward or four hunter preference points. A member of the public discovered the spike elk on Aug. 16 in a clear cut on Fall Creek Road, just northeast of the intersection of Fall Creek Road and Big Rock Creek Road.
Preliminary investigative work showed the yearling male had been shot with a firearm one to three days earlier. Logsden, an unincorporated community about seven miles east of Siletz, is a common stopover for hunters this time of year. Law enforcement and wildlife officials know that poachers mingle among the hunting crowd to hide their activities, according to Stop Poaching Campaign coordinator Yvonne Shaw.
"Although this is a well-travelled area for hunters, it's important to remember that hunting and poaching are not the same," Shaw said. "Shooting from the road, and then leaving the animal to waste are both illegal and unethical." "Hunting is one way to manage population numbers of deer and elk on a landscape," Shaw said, "Poachers scramble those numbers by taking more animals off the landscape than biologists think necessary to maintain herd numbers."
The Stop Poaching Campaign educates the public on how to recognize and report poaching. This campaign is a collaboration among hunters, conservationists, landowners 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.
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