A poacher accused of more than 50 crimes in Oregon’s Grant County between 2023 and 2024 was recently sentenced to 95 days in prison and more than $22,000 in restitution and fines.
In what the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife described as a serial poaching case, the subject entered a worldwide plea, resulting in two felony convictions for removing a 5×6 bull elk and a 3×4 mule deer buck, nine misdemeanor wildlife and angling violations, and a probation violation. The two-year inquiry resulted in multiple wildlife and angling charges, including poaching a bull elk and two mule deer bucks while spotlighted.
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- 1 Investigation Started Over Two Years Ago
- 2 Suspect Allegedly Committed More Crimes After Being Released From Jail
- 3 ODFW: Help Up Protect Oregon Wildlife
Spotlighting is the criminal act of shining a bright light directly at an animal during the nighttime. Game mammals may only be hunted between 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after dusk.
Investigation Started Over Two Years Ago
The inquiry began in March 2023, when OSP F&W troopers learned that the defendant was in possession of a huge 6×6 bull elk when his hunting permits were suspended. After an investigation, OSP F&W troopers confiscated the elk head. The subject was convicted of unauthorized taking/possession of a bull elk and had his hunting privileges revoked for life.
Troopers then learned that the suspect was attempting to poach during the 2023 archery season. This investigation found that in September 2023, the suspect illegally killed a 5×6 bull elk and two 3×4 mule deer bucks by spotlighting and shooting the animals from a public roadway in the Northside Hunt Unit.
The inquiry continued, resulting in the execution of search warrants and the arrest of the suspect for many wildlife violations. Antlers from a 5×6 bull elk and a 3×4 mule deer buck were seized, as well as a spotlight, a 7mm Weatherby rifle, a bow, calls, and other equipment associated with the illegal take.
Suspect Allegedly Committed More Crimes After Being Released From Jail
In 2024, while the suspect was out of jail and awaiting trial, troopers learned that he was illegally fishing for wild steelhead in the John Day River. Troopers monitored the suspect and two other people for nearly two months while they violated fishing restrictions, including night fishing on the John Day River. Troopers charged the man and his friends with over 30 angling offenses.
In addition to jail time, the court sentenced the unidentified individual to 18 months of probation, more than $22,500 in fines and restitution, forfeiture of a 7mm Weatherby rifle, bow, spotlight, and hunting calls, 260 hours of community service, and a lifetime revocation of hunting and fishing rights.
ODFW: Help Up Protect Oregon Wildlife
“Poaching takes from everyone, especially the next generation,” said ODFW Wildlife Division administrator Bernadette Graham-Hudson. “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, as well as the Grant County District Attorney’s office, with successfully resolving the case.
“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.”
