CANYON CITY, Ore.- A poacher investigated for more than 50 crimes committed in Grant County between 2023 and 2024 was sentenced to 95 days behind bars and more than $22,000 in restitution and fines, according to wildlife officials.

In what wildlife enforcement officers refer to as a serial poaching case, the subject accepted a global plea that resulted in two felony convictions for taking a 5X6 bull elk and a 3x4 mule deer buck, nine misdemeanor wildlife and angling crimes, and a probation violation.

OSP Fish & Wildlife (OSP F&W) Troopers' two-year investigation led to numerous wildlife and angling charges, including poaching a bull elk and two mule deer bucks while spotlighting. Spotlighting is the illegal act of casting bright light directly at an animal during the night. Game mammals may only be hunted from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

The investigation began in March of 2023 when OSP F&W Troopers received information that the suspect was in possession of a large 6x6 bull elk while his hunting privileges were suspended. After investigating, OSP F&W Troopers seized the elk head. The subject was convicted for unlawful take/possession of bull elk, and he received a lifetime revocation of hunting privileges.

Troopers then received information that the suspect was attempting to poach during the 2023 Archery season. This investigation revealed that the suspect had unlawfully killed a 5x6 bull elk and two 3x4 mule deer bucks by spotlighting and shooting the animals with a rifle from a public roadway in September of 2023 in the Northside Hunt Unit.

Troopers continued their investigation which led to the execution of search warrants and the arrest of the suspect on numerous wildlife crimes. Items seized included antlers from the 5x6 bull elk and 3x4 mule deer bucks as well as a spotlight, 7mm Weatherby rifle, bow, calls, and other items related to the unlawful take.

In 2024, while the suspect was released from jail and awaiting trial, Troopers received information that the suspect was unlawfully angling for wild steelhead in the John Day River. Troopers conducted surveillance on the suspect and two other individuals for almost two months while the suspect and his friends broke fishing regulations, including night-fishing on the John Day River. Troopers charged the subject and his friends with more than 30 angling crimes.

In addition to jail time, the court sentenced the subject to 18 months' probation; more than $22,500 in fines and restitution; forfeiture of 7mm Weatherby rifle, bow, spotlight and hunting calls; 260 hours of community service; and an additional lifetime revocation of hunting and fishing rights.

The impacts of crimes against fish and wildlife are lasting according to ODFW Wildlife Division administrator Bernadette Graham-Hudson.

"Poaching takes from everyone, especially the next generation," Graham-Hudson said. "Reporting poaching through our Turn in Poachers TIP line helps protect Oregon's wildlife and hold offenders accountable. We are grateful for everyone who helped with this investigation."

OSP F&W Sergeant Erich Timko credits the troopers and detectives who led the investigation, and the Grant County District Attorney's office for bringing the case to a successful resolution.

"Catching wildlife violators and holding them accountable is why our fish and wildlife troopers put on their uniforms every day," Timko said, "Our goal is to prevent these thefts of our wildlife resources that rob from our hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts."

How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity:

TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP (*677)

TIP email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov (monitored Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

For more information visit: www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/fw/Pages/tip.aspx

The Protect Oregon's Wildlife- Turn in Poachers campaign educates the public on how to recognize and report poaching. This campaign is a collaboration among state agencies, sportsmen and other conservationists, landowners, and recreationists to engage the public in combatting Oregon's poaching problem. Our goal is to: Incentivize reporting on wildlife crimes through the TIP Line; Strengthen enforcement by increasing the number of OSP Fish and Wildlife Troopers; and Support prosecution in becoming an effective deterrent. The campaign helps to protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitat for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

Photo: Evidence seized in poaching case in Grant County Credit OSP. Evidence was seized during a two-year investigation that led to more than 50 poaching crimes committed in Grant County. The subject was sentenced to 95 days in jail and more than $22,000 in fines and restitution.

SALEM, Ore.—The Commission approved a revised State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) today, a plan that serves as a roadmap for protecting Oregon's at-risk species and their habitats.

The Plan incorporates the latest available information on species and presents recommended conservation actions to inform and prioritize conservation work for community members, private landowners, organizations, and agencies alike. The revision adds pollution as a new Key Conservation Issue, completes integration of the Oregon Nearshore Strategy, enhances information provided in the Conservation Toolbox to make conservation accessible to all Oregonians, and adds information on species newly identified as being at-risk. The Plan is meant to be used by natural resource partners and will eventually be fully web-enabled and accessible online to ensure that content is navigable.

States are required to complete a comprehensive review and revision of their SWAP at least every 10 years to remain eligible for federal State and Tribal Wildlife Grants, which are a major funding source for conservation in Oregon. The Commission's action today formally approved the eight elements required for the Plan to be submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by the deadline of Oct. 1, 2025.

In addition to updating the State Wildlife Action Plan, ODFW has launched the "Oregon is Worth Protecting" campaign to raise awareness of species in decline and celebrate the fish and wildlife that contribute to make Oregon a wonderful place to live and recreate. Campaign partners include the Oregon Wildlife Foundation, Jamba, and BiMart with more partners expected to be announced in the future.

During their discussion of SWAP, Commissioners acknowledged the lack of funding for conservation of species in decline and mentioned HB 2977—a bill that, if it had passed in the 2025 legislative session, would have raised the state's lodging tax by 1.25 percent and dedicated those funds to wildlife conservation. Director Colbert said the agency would continue to work to secure dedicated funding for sensitive and at-risk species.

The Commission took the following actions in other business today:

Sage-grouse permit numbers: Modified sage-grouse permit numbers adopted in April, based on more recent information from 2025 population surveys. Permit numbers are increased in several units. The Silvies controlled hunt is cancelled for the 2025 season and permit numbers are slightly reduced in Owyhee.

Amended Non-Native Wildlife Rules: Added the following species to the prohibited list (so no import, sale, purchase, exchange or transport allowed) to help protect Oregon's fish and wildlife from invasive species: golden mussels, non-native abalone, sea turtles Cheloniidae and Dermochelyidae, the entire family of Viviparidae mystery snails and Muricidae oyster drills.

Southern Resident orcas: Approved endangered species management plans for state land-owning or managing agencies with a role to play in Southern Resident orca conservation, which the Commission previously identified as ODFW, Oregon Department of State Lands, and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The plans identify existing and new actions to help conserve orcas including restoring salmon habitat, improving fish passage and maintaining or increasing hatchery production; responding to oil spills and managing marine debris that washes up on beaches; and considering impacts to Southern Resident orcas from renewable energy projects or undersea infrastructure (e.g. cables, pipelines, other utilities). The Commission also directed ODFW to review their plan in five years.

Wild coho regulations: The 2025 forecasted ocean abundance of Oregon coast natural coho is 289,000 fish, up from about 233,000 last year and the largest forecast since 2012. Wild coho fisheries for 2025 were adopted as proposed by ODFW staff and approved by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Seasons are similar to last year, with additional fishing days in some rivers and an across-the-board season bag limit of 3 fish in rivers that are open due to the strong forecast. The Commission also directed ODFW to work with NMFS to explore allowing additional fishing days for wild coho later in the season (November) in the Siletz, Yaquina and Alsea Rivers. There will be no wild coho fishery on the Umpqua River as returns are expected to be very low this year due to a very poor return in 2022 (parents of this year's returning fish) and ongoing environmental issues (wildfires, drought, warming streams and non-native fish predators). Wild coho regulations will be posted on the in-season updates page soon; more information on proposals adopted today is available at the Coastal fall salmon page.

Private Forest Accords Grant Program Rule Revision: Amended program rules to simplify the program, facilitate a prompter distribution of funding, and provide a clearer, more consistent process for applicants and grantees.

Also today, ODFW recognized several organizations for their volunteer work to protect fish, wildlife and their habitats. Both Suzanne Linford (founder of the Protect Animal Migration Project) and Rex Parks (Oregon Hunter Association, Bend Chapter) were recognized the Dave Liscia Volunteer Award for their instrumental work in creating and maintaining progress on wildlife passage in central Oregon since 2015.

Dry Fly Management Company based in Terrebone was also recognized with ODFW's Landowner Stewardship Award for its Redside Restoration Project. Dry Fly has helped create wildlife forage plots, enhance water for wildlife by replacing old livestock watering areas with guzzlers, and is working to increase the amount of native grass seed available for habitat restoration and post-wildfire recovery.

A recording of the meeting is available online at ODFW's YouTube channel.