BAKER COUNTY, Ore. — The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division (OSPF&W) is seeking public assistance to help identify the person(s) responsible for the unlawful kill several animals.
It is unknown at this time if these cases are connected, but there have been several reports out of Baker County of animals being unlawfully taken.
Unlawful take of a big horn sheep ram
On Nov. 30, 2023, Fish and Wildlife Trooper Dakotah Keys responded to a Big Horn Sheep Ram which had been shot and left to waste on BLM land, near Hibbard Creek Road.
Furthermore, the involved person(s) removed the ram’s head and horns, before leaving all meat to waste. This location is within the Lookout Mountain Wildlife Management Unit, approximately 50 miles south of Baker City.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact OSP Trooper Dakotah Keys through the Turn in Poachers (TIP) hotline at 1-800-452-7888 or dial *OSP (mobile).
Unlawful take and waste of bear cubs
On Nov. 27, 2023, a hunter reported finding a dead bear cub just off the USFS 77 Road in the Keating Wildlife Management Unit. This location is approximately 3.5 miles northwest of Halfway.
Fish and wildlife troopers responded to the area and located two bear cubs that were shot and left to waste.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact OSP Sgt. Cyr through the Turn in Poachers (TIP) hotline and 1-800-442-2068 or dial *OSP (mobile) and reference case number SP23377486. TIPs received can remain anonymous.
Unlawful take of a wolf
According to OSPF&W, troopers responded to report of a wolf that was shot an killed unlawfully near Sparta Road, on November 27, 2023.
The department is asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact OSP Trooper Dakotah Keys through the Turn in Poachers (TIP) hotline at 1-800-452-7888 or dial *OSP (mobile).
The TIP program is a collaboration between the 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.
Preference Point Rewards:
- *5 Points-Bighorn Sheep
- *5 Points-Rocky Mountain Goat
- *5 Points-Moose
- *5 Points-Wolf
- *4 Points-Elk
- *4 Points-Deer
- *4 Points-Pronghorn Antelope
- *4 Points-Bear
- *4 Points-Cougar
The TIP program also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of the following fish and wildlife species. Cash rewards can also be awarded for habitat destruction, illegally obtaining hunting or angling license or tag, lending or borrowing big game tags, spotlighting, or snagging.
Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) Cash Rewards:
- $2,000 Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat or Moose
- $1,000 Elk, Deer or Antelope
- $600 Bear, Cougar or Wolf
- $300 Habitat Destruction
- $200 Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags
- $200 Unlawful Lending/Borrowing Big Game Tag(s)
- $200 Game Fish & Shellfish
- $200 Game Birds or Furbearers
- $200 Spotlighting
- $200 Snagging/Attempt to Snag
Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) Cash Rewards:
- $500 Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Owl, Osprey
- $500 Cougar, Bobcat, Beaver (public lands only), Black bears, Bighorn Sheep, Marten, Fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox
- $1,000 Species listed as “threatened” or “endangered” under state or federal Endangered Species Act (excludes fish)
How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity:
- TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP (*677)
- TIP email: ” class=”themeColorForLinks”>[email protected] (Monitored M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)