STATE POLICE FISH & WILDLIFE DIVISION

MONTHLY FIELD REVIEW1 FEBRUARY 2021 CONTENT Community Outreach & Education...... 3 Administration and Enforcement of Wildlife Laws...... 4-5 General Law & Rescues...... 6 Marine Fisheries Team...... 7 Shellfish and Angling...... 8-9 Case Dispositions...... 10 Turn in Poachers...... 11 F&W Recruitment...... 12

On the cover: Fish and Wildlife Troopers conducted a jet boat patrol on the lower McKenzie and Willamette Rivers. COMMUNITY OUTREACH & EDUCATION

East Region ATV Training Fish and Wildlife Troopers from East Region attended training for tracked ATV operation, maintenance, and associated equipment. During the training Troopers learned to repair a slipped track, replace drive belts, conduct tire to track change over, and general operation of the machine.

Trooper Presents to Hunter Education Class Turkeys Released in Keno Unit A Portland Fish and Wildlife Trooper gave a hunter safety Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division members presentation to approximately 12 students and eight parents. assisted ODFW with the release of 60 turkeys in the The presentation lasted one hour and was received well, Keno Unit. ODFW had trapped the turkeys in the John with lots of great questions from both parents and students. Day Area and relocated them to the Keno Unit. OSP Pilot Assists ODFW with Deer Telemetry The SW Region Fish and Wildlife Pilot assisted ODFW biologists in a deer telemetry flight in the Medford/Grants Pass area. With the Pilot’s assistance, ODFW researchers were able to collar multiple deer in the Applegate, Rogue, and Evans Units.

Trooper Assists with Hunter Education Class A Fish and Wildlife Trooper assisted with two hunter’s safety classes in Madras. There were 20 students in attendance with several commenting that they were impressed with the Trooper’s fish and wildlife knowledge.

Trooper Participates in Virtual School Event A Roseburg Fish and Wildlife Trooper participated in a live stream event for about 60 school children. The event is normally held with school kids attending in person but this year the presenters met at the Canyonville acclamation site and took turns in front of the camera on a Zoom conference. Other participating partners included Umpqua Fisherman’s Association, ODFW, and Cow Creek Tribal Biologists.

3 ADMINISTRATION & ENFORCEMENT OF WILDLIFE LAWS

Accidental Take of Cow Elk - Stott Mountain Mid-Valley Fish and Wildlife Troopers received information from an adult male subject who had self-reported taking an extra cow elk during the late season Stott Mountain hunt. The subject explained he had accidentally killed a second cow elk. The subject field dressed the second elk and delivered it to a local meat cutter. A Salem Fish and Wildlife Trooper retrieved the cow elk meat the next day and donated it the Union Gospel Mission. The subject was warned for Exceeding Bag Limit: Game Mammal.

Unlawful Take of Bear - Wasco County A Fish and Wildlife Trooper from The Dalles completed a lengthy investigation that began in September, 2020 involving a ranch in south Wasco County. The investigation included the execution of multiple search warrants and assistance from Wasco and Sherman County Sheriff’s Offices, Warm Springs Department of Natural Resources Enforcement, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, Wyoming Game and Fish Enforcement, as well as Fish and Wildlife Troopers from Hermiston, Salem, and Bend. The investigation revealed evidence of several wildlife crimes including Unlawful Take of Bear, Baiting Bear, Loaning/Borrowing of Big Game Tag, False Application and weapons related offenses. Troopers seized four firearms, a bear, bobcat, horse skeletal remains, big game attractant, and digital evidence from multiple Suspect Caught after Shooting ODFW Camera cell phones. Also, as a result of the investigation, evidence Coos Bay Fish and Wildlife Troopers followed up on a showed that one of the firearms unlawfully possessed by report from ODFW that a subject was caught on an ODFW the main suspect was apparently obtained from his son, camera with a net at the Woodward Creek fish trap. The who resides in Wyoming and is a convicted felon. That ODFW camera was also destroyed by two small caliber information has been forwarded to Wyoming authorities rifle shots. The suspect was later located while angling in for follow up. a closed section of the South Fork Coquille River. The suspect was interviewed and confessed to netting the fish Subjects Discharge Firearm in Wildlife Area and shooting the camera. The rifle used was seized along A St. Helens Fish and Wildlife Trooper received a report with his net and fishing pole. He was cited and released for from a goose hunter on private property on Sauvie Island Criminal Mischief II, Unlawful Taking Steelhead, and regarding gunshots that sounded like they were coming Angling Prohibited Area: Fishway. Other charges were from a nearby wildlife area. At the time, the wildlife area referred to the District Attorney’s Office. was closed for hunting and to the general public. While en route to the area, the complainant called back and stated Illegal Trapping near Haystack Reservoir the truck was leaving and gave a description. The Trooper Madras and Prineville Fish and Wildlife Troopers located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The three investigated illegal trapping near Haystack Reservoir that men in the truck said they were at the described location resulted from a dog getting caught in one of the traps. shooting skeet off the dike with a shotgun. The men were Troopers checked the area and located the suspect at advised that the wildlife area is currently closed and when his traps. Subsequent investigation resulted in a citation it is open, shooting guns in that area is not allowed. All for Unbranded Traps, and warnings for Use of Game three men were issued citations for Discharging a Firearm Mammal/Birds as Bait, and No Furtakers License in in Wildlife Area. Possession.

4 ADMINISTRATION & ENFORCEMENT OF WILDLIFE LAWS

K-9 Buck Assists on Search Warrant Subject Self-Reports Accidental Take of Elk The Roseburg Fish and Wildlife Team executed a search A North Plains Fish and Wildlife Trooper responded to an warrant in northern Douglas County on a subject who was address in Vernonia where a subject self-reported that he alleged to have taken a buck deer last year while suspended. shot a small spike elk with his landowner preference tag. Evidence was collected and the subject was issued a citation The subject said he saw what he believed to be a cow and for Unlawful Possession of a Buck Deer and evidence was a calf separate from the herd. He took a clean shot at the seized. K-9 Buck and his handler helped search a wooded cow and dropped it. Upon approaching the elk, he observed area behind the residence looking for items of evidence it had spikes that were just an inch or two shorter than the pertaining to the case. ears. The subject called as soon as he realized. The subject was warned for Unlawful Take of Bull Elk and the meat Cow Elk Unlawfully Taken - Lake Creek was seized and taken to a butcher in Hillsboro for processing and donation. A Central Point Fish and Wildlife Sergeant responded to a call in the Lake Creek area off Hwy 140 where someone heard rifle shots in an area where a group of elk was Spotlighters Caught in Warner Unit hanging out. The Sergeant found a tractor that was hauling The SW Region OSP Pilot was conducting a night flight a cow elk off toward a residence. The hunters at first said with Fish and Wildlife Troopers assisting on the ground. that a family member was the shooter before she went to The Pilot spotted a vehicle casting light from within the work. Eventually one of the hunters admitted to killing the vehicle in the northern portion of the Warner Unit. The elk and putting his daughters tag on the elk. The area the Pilot obtained video of the casting from the airplane using elk was shot is about 12 miles from the antlerless elk hunt a night vision camera. The vehicle was intercepted and a boundary. The hunter that killed the elk was cited for No traffic stop was conducted. During the traffic stop several Big Game Tag and Borrow/Loan Elk Tag. The elk, rifle, rifles were located in the vehicle. The driver and passenger tag and shells were seized. The elk was donated to Rogue both admitted to casting light from within the vehicle and Valley Veterans. they stated they were hunting rabbits. Both subjects were cited for Casting Artificial Light from a Motor Vehicle while Possessing Firearms.

A Prineville Fish and Wildlife Trooper snapped this photo of sunrise in the Tumalo Travel Management Area west of Bend.

5 GENERAL LAW & RESCUES

Boater Assisted with Stuck Trailer While conducting a shore patrol at the Boat Launch at Lake , a Madras Fish and Wildlife Trooper assisted a boater who, due to low water level, had backed the trailer off the end of the concrete ramp bottoming his trailer frame on the concrete. A fellow boater volunteered to assist lifting the trailer with the aid of a rope and anchor attached the front of his boat to the back of the trailer. This was enough to lift the wheels back onto the ramp.

Pilot Assists Search and Rescue The SW Region OSP Pilot assisted Lake and Klamath County Search and Rescue (SAR) in locating 89 and 59-year-old female subjects who had been reported as missing for over a day. The Pilot had a vehicle description and possible last known location. The two subjects were located at about midnight walking in a remote location near the California border. Both were in good condition. The Pilot also located several SAR team members who were stuck in the snow while attempting to search the area. The ground searchers were able to reach the stuck vehicle and pull them out.

Subject Arrested for False Info A Coos Bay Sergeant contacted a subject in a vehicle stopped on a forest road in the Elliott State Forest near Lakeside. The subject provided a false name. His true identity was determined, and he was arrested on several outstanding warrants. A Patrol Trooper responded to assist and transported the subject to the Reedsport Police Department, where Trooper Reunites Lost Dog with Family he was lodged. The subject was cited for new Coos County charges of Giving While traveling through the city of Canby, a Fish and Wildlife Trooper saw False Information to a Police Officer a border collie running in the roadway. The Trooper lured “Ranger” into his and DWS-Misdemeanor. pickup with a piece of pizza and was able to reunite him with his very grateful family almost five miles away.

6 MARINE FISHERIES TEAM

Locals Help Monitor Marine Reserves Commercial Crab Inspections - Charleston A Fish and Wildlife Lieutenant and Newport Marine Fisheries South Coast Fish and Wildlife Troopers conducted Team (MFT) Troopers worked with individuals who live near a commercial crab inspection in Charleston. The the north boundary of the Cascade Head Marine Reserve. troopers observed a small offload of only 213 pounds Several residents in this area monitor the boundary consistently and immediately noticed many of the crab seemed and wanted to get a better perspective where the closure lines undersized. After measuring the entire offload, the are in relation to their position on shore. Troopers positioned troopers located 30 pounds of undersized crab. The the PV Guardian at various points along the closure lines while skipper and crew were interviewed and the skipper the Lieutenant stationed himself on shore with the residents. was ultimately criminally cited and released in lieu Using various reference points, the residents were able to better of custody for Take/Possession of Undersized determine if there are infractions inside of the reserve and were Dungeness Crab and Fail to Maintain Logbook: very appreciative of OSP’s efforts. Dungeness Crab.

Marine Reserve Patrols with USCG A Coos Bay Fish and Wildlife Trooper conducted commercial crab inspections in Charleston. Upon Newport MFT Troopers conducted offshore Guardian patrols in arriving at an offload, the dealer advised the Trooper the Cascade Head and Cape Perpetua Marine Reserves. In Cape that they had found approximately ten pounds of Perpetua, multiple pieces of crab gear were located belonging to undersized crab in the first 1000 pounds offloaded. three different commercial fishing vessels. This gear was previously The Trooper and dock workers checked the rest observed on several US Coast Guard (USCG) flights. All of the of the offload. In total, 34 pounds of undersized gear was either unreachable due to its proximity to the shore or was crab were located out of the 3,500 pound offload. sanded in and would need pumped to be removed. MFT Troopers The skipper and crew were interviewed and the are working with the fishing vessels to have the gear removed. skipper took responsibility for the offense, stating that he did not train his newest deckhand well Low Clam Tide Patrol - Coos Bay enough on how to measure crab. The skipper was Fish and Wildlife Troopers worked a low clam tide in Coos Bay. issued a violation citation for Take/Possession of Recreational and commercial clam diggers were contacted and Undersized Dungeness Crab. the following citations and warnings were issued: No Shellfish License, Digging Another’s Clams, Sharing a Container, and South Coast Fish and Wildlife Troopers conducted Fail to Complete Log Book. commercial crab inspections in Charleston. While observing a small offload of 254 pounds, the Recreational Crab Checks - Florence troopers located six pounds of undersized crab. The skipper and crew were interviewed regarding the A Florence Fish and Wildlife Trooper was checking recreational undersized crab and the skipper took responsibility. crab at the south Jetty dock in Florence when he located an The skipper was issued a violation citation for individual with no 2021 shellfish license. One citation was issued for No Resident Shellfish License. Take/Possession of Undersized Dungeness Crab.

7 SHELLFISH & ANGLING

Subjects Caught with Three Extra Bull Trout Steelhead Angling Patrol - Grande Ronde River A saturation plan was conducted by Fish and Wildlife La Grande Fish and Wildlife Troopers conducted a Troopers in order to protect Bull Trout of the lower Metolius steelhead angler patrol in Troy along the Grande Ronde River and Metolius Arm of Lake Billy Chinook. On the River. Six total anglers were checked, and no violations first full day of the operation, two men were caught angling were observed. A couple days later, one of the Troopers in the closed Bull Trout sanctuary section of the lower conducted steelhead angler checks on the Wallowa and were found to be in unlawful possession River from Trout Creek to Minam State Park. Eighteen of three Bull Trout. The trout were seized as evidence and anglers were checked, and four warnings were issued for both men were cited criminally for Angling Closed Waters, No Electronic License/Tag in Possession x3 and No Unlawful Take/Possession of Bull Trout, and Aiding in a Columbia River Basin Endorsement. Wildlife Violation. Trespass charges were also forwarded to Warms Springs Enforcement as the men accessed the area on private property owned by Warm Springs.

Mulitple Violations Found on Boat Patrol Fish and Wildlife Troopers conducted a boat patrol at Henry Hagg Lake, contacting many anglers and boaters. The Troopers issued the following citations/warnings:

No Two Rod Endorsement: 2 citations No Angling License: 3 citations No Valid License/Tag in Possession: 7 warnings No Sound Producing Device: 2 warnings Inadequate Number of PFD: 2 warnings

Ice Fishing on Diamond Lake A Roseburg Fish and Wildlife Trooper talked to subjects who were ice fishing on Diamond Lake. It was free fishing weekend but anglers still had questions about bag limits and reported good success on the 18 inch thick ice.

Undersized Dungeness Crab - Winchester Bay A Coos Bay Sergeant checked a boat returning to Winchester Bay with three crabbers. A check of their catch revealed 18 out of 21 Dungeness Crab were up to 1¼” undersized. The boat owner was cited for Taking Undersized Dungeness Crab.

Lake Billy Chinook Boat Patrol Bend area Fish and Wildlife Troopers conducted a boat patrol on Lake Billy Chinook. The troopers contacted ten Columbia River Sturgeon Patrol trout anglers including a couple in possession of a 14” bull Fish and Wildlife Troopers from Fossil and The Dalles trout (legal size is over 24”). The female subject who caught teamed up to conduct a Columbia River boat patrol the fish was told by her boyfriend the fish was a brown targeting a commercial sturgeon season. Over a dozen trout and legal to keep. The male was cited for Aiding boats were contacted and with about 20 anglers checked, in a Wildlife Offense and the female was warned for the including these successful fishermen in the above photo. No Unlawful Take of Bull Trout. significant violations were detected.

8 SHELLFISH & ANGLING

Angling with Barbed Hooks - Jones Beach Subject Cited for Angling with Two Poles A St. Helens Fish and Wildlife Trooper was checking A Grants Pass Fish and Wildlife Trooper received anglers on Jones Beach along the Columbia River when information that someone was illegally fishing with two he asked one subject if he was fishing with barbless hooks. poles on the Rogue River at the old Savage Rapids Dam site. When the subject’s response was, “I think so,” the Trooper The Trooper was able to locate the angler and witnessed asked the subject to reel in so he could check his gear. When two rods being used. It appeared that the individual was the gear was checked, it was found the subject was angling angling for steelhead, but did not possess a harvest card. with four hooks, two of which were barbed. The subject The subject was warned for that and cited for Prohibited was subsequently issued a citation for Angling with Barbed Method: to wit Two Poles. Hooks and warned for Angling Prohibited Method: Too Many Hooks. Couple Caught Angling in Closed Area Security for a private timber company alerted dispatch that Angling Violations - Crooked River two people were angling on closed streams and may have A Fish and Wildlife Trooper patrolled the Crooked River harvested a fish near Highway 26. A St. Helens Fish and south of Prineville and contacted eighteen anglers. One Wildlife Trooper was conducting routine checks on the citation was issued for No Resident Angling License and Necanicum River, unaware of the original call, and was Angling while Suspended. Multiple warnings were also notified by a fish sampler that the suspects were currently issued for various violations. angling from the Klootchie Creek Bridge that the Trooper had just crossed. Contact was made with the suspects. After Springfield Area Angling Patrols an investigation, the male subject was cited for Angling Closed Area/Stream and warned for No Angling License A Springfield Fish and Wildlife Trooper conducted an in Possession. angling patrol in several local areas. On the McKenzie River (below Leaburg Dam), two subjects were issued citations for No Angling License, one subject was cited for Angling Winchester Bay Nighttime Crab Patrol with Bait when Prohibited and two hatchery rainbow trout Coos Bay Fish and Wildlife Troopers checked nighttime were seized. On Big Fall Creek (below Fall Creek Dam) one crabbers in Winchester Bay. Numerous groups were subject was cited for No Non-Resident Angling License. contacted, but catch rates were low. One group was At Dorena reservoir two subjects were contacted who were contacted and found to be in possession of five Dungeness removing items from the reservoir bed. Inspection of the crab, four of which were undersized. One subject took items the subjects had in possession were determined not to responsibility for the violation and was cited for Take/ be archaeological items. They were counseled on the rules Possession Undersized Dungeness Crab. Another group the United States Army Corps of Engineers has about not was contacted and it was determined that none of the people removing any rocks,minerals, or archaeological items from in the group had a valid shellfish license. Additionally, the United States Army Corps of Engineer lands. one crab in their possession was found to be undersized. One member of the group took responsibility for the violations Guide Cited for Making False Statements and was warned for No Resident Shellfish License and for Take/Possession Undersized Dungeness Crab. All the A Gold Beach Fish and Wildlife Trooper followed up on a illegal crab were returned to the bay. case that was referred to him. An individual made a false statement on his required guiding application, stating that he had not been cited for any fish and wildlife crimes or Adult Cited, Juveniles Warned for Violation violations in the last 24 months. The subject has been a While checking anglers along the Mid-Columbia and fishing guide for nine years, and was cited by the Trooper Lower Deschutes Rivers, Fish and Wildlife Troopers from in October, 2019 for Angling Closed Area and cited by The Dalles located three juveniles and one adult angling another Trooper in March, 2020 for Aiding in a Fish without licenses. The juveniles were warned and the adult and Wildlife Violation. He was found guilty on both was cited for No 2021 Resident Angling License. violations. The subject was interviewed and cited criminally for Making False Statements in Registration Application.

9 CASE DISPOSITION

Subject Pleads Guilty to Taking Trophy Buck Fish and Wildlife Troopers from the East Central Team, with assistance from a Coos Bay Fish and Wildlife Trooper, investigated the unlawful taking of a trophy class 6-pt mule deer buck in the Murderer’s Creek unit during Rocky Mountain Elk 2nd Season. Investigation revealed that Thomas Deshazer of Reedsport was hunting elk when the large buck crossed onto the USFS roadway in front of him. Deshazer used his rifle and shot the buck from his truck in the roadway and then as he got to the buck, hunters came upon the scene. Deshazer then left the buck to waste and left the scene. A vehicle plate was obtained by witnesses which led to the identification of Deshazer. Deshazer pleaded guilty to criminal Unlawful Take of Buck Deer and sentenced as follows: Subject Pleads Guilty to Take/Possession Deer • 18-month probation In December, 2020, Troopers from the Fish and Wildlife • 20 hours community service Division investigated the unlawful take of a Trophy Class black-tailed buck deer. Subsequent to the investigation • $1,000 fine ($500 to TIP Fund) Troopers learned the large 5x5 buck had been killed by a • Mandatory completion of Hunter Education subject without a valid tag. The Troopers seized the antlers • Forfeiture of Winchester Rifle used in the offense and a rifle and cited the subject for Take/Possession of Buck Deer and Lend/Borrow/Sell Big Game Tag. • 3-year hunting license suspension In February, 2021, the subject pleaded guilty to Take/ Possession of Buck Deer and was sentenced to the Subjects Plead Guilty in Unlawful Take Case following: During the past hunting season, Fish and Wildlife Troopers • $1,500 fine investigated the unlawful take of a trophy buck mule deer in Madras. During the investigation it was determined a male • $3,500 restitution subject shot and killed a trophy buck mule deer without a • $500 to the ODFW TIP Fund valid tag. The next day his father electronically tagged the • Forfeiture of the scoped rifle and antlers buck. The father pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge of Aiding in a Wildlife Crime, was placed on an 18-month • 3-year hunting license suspension probation, during which time he is not allowed to hunt, and was ordered to pay $7,500 in restitution to ODFW. The Guilty Plea in Wasting Game Bird Case son’s charges are still pending. At the end of December, an Albany Fish and Wildlife During the above investigation, it was learned that the son, Trooper received a littering complaint on tribal land his friends and family were suspected of poaching deer involving deer parts and wasted game birds (ducks and a on private property near Ashwood. Several weeks later, goose). The Trooper located written tags on the deer legs Troopers set up a buck mule deer Wildlife Enforcement and located the suspects. Subsequent to an interview, one of Decoy (WED), on private property at night near Ashwood. the suspects admitted to dumping the deer parts and wasting That night, the cousin of the above suspect shot the WED the ducks, and the other suspect admitted to dumping the at night, while using artificial light, from the roadway and deer parts. The suspect involved in the wasting of the ducks on private property. pleaded guilty to Offensive Littering and Waste of Game The second suspect pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor Bird x2 in the Linn County Justice Court. He was sentenced charges of Unlawful Take of Buck Deer and Criminal as follows: Trespass, was placed on 12-month probation, during which • 5-years bench probation time he is not allowed to hunt, was ordered to pay $400 in • $1,310 in fines fines and forfeited the rifle used to commit the crime. • 3-year hunting suspension

10 TURN IN POACHERS PREFERENCE POINTS -OR- CASH REWARDS 5 Points-Bighorn Sheep $1,000 Bighorn Sheep 5 Points-Rocky Mountain Goat $1,000 Rocky Mountain Goat 5 Points-Moose $1,000 Moose 5 Points-Wolf $500 Elk, Deer & Antelope 4 Points-Elk $300 Bear, Cougar & Wolf 4 Points-Deer $300 Habitat Destruction 4 Points-Antelope $200 Illegally Obtaining License/Tags 4 Points-Bear $200 Unlawful Lend/Borrow Big Game Tag(s) 4 Points-Cougar $100 Game Fish & Shellfish $100 Upland Birds, Waterfowl & Fur Bearers

The TIP program offers preference point rewards or cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of big game mammals. WHAT SHOULD I REPORT? - Nature of violation or activity observed or advised about - Location of activity (Road, Milepost, GPS, etc.) - Date and time of violation/activity - Description of any vehicle involved - Name and/or description of violator Click here to access the TIP form

1-800-452-7888 or *OSP(677) [email protected] Oregon State Police work hand-in-hand with the Oregon Hunters Association and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to ensure the preservation of wildlife resources. Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division

We are the Guardians of Oregon’s Fish and Wildlife

“Assuring compliance with the laws which protect and enhance the long-term health and equitable utilization of Oregon’s fish, wildlife, and habitat resources.”

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