$1,000 reward for information on two elk poached near I-5 Tweet November 1, 2022 SALEM, Ore.—A $1,000 reward or five hunter preference points is offered for information that leads to an arrest or citation regarding two elk poached within 100 yards of I-5 near Glendale around 6:30 p.m. Oct. 25. Multiple drivers along I-5 contacted authorities the morning of Oct. 26 to report seeing elk carcasses west of I-5 near Glendale. Responding Troopers found the carcasses of two elk, one of which was a cow, the other a bull, in an open field. It is likely that both elk were shot from the interstate, according to law enforcement officials. The bull was left entirely to waste, although Troopers were able to salvage the meat and donate it to charity. The poachers processed and removed meat from the cow, which would have taken considerable time by lantern or flashlight. Anyone who saw activity involving artificial lights that night, in the field west of I-5 near milepost 84 can call the Turn in Poachers (TIP) line at *OSP (*677) or 800-452-7888 to qualify for the reward or hunter preference points. All calls are anonymous. OSP F and W Troopers are also looking for a person seen earlier in the day on Oct. 25, driving a silver-colored midsized pickup slowly in the southbound lane. The person of interest had a rifle. This is a baseless crime, according to officials. “There is no excuse for this disgusting behavior,” said Brian Wolfer, ODFW Wildlife Division Deputy Administrator, “For many people it is a thrill just to see an elk and these people not only poached two elk but wasted one. It is also illegal and dangerous to shoot from a public road, let alone a highway. I hope someone out there can help bring them to justice.” Yvonne Shaw, Stop Poaching Campaign coordinator for ODFW, agrees. “When people poach, they steal natural resources from all of us,” she said, “Oregonians value our wildlife, both for viewing and for legal hunting.” The Oregon Hunters Association is offering the cash reward, and ODFW is offering the hunter preference points as incentive to hear from a member of the public who might know who poached the elk. The cow and bull were part of a local herd of about 80 animals, according to law enforcement officials. OSP Fish and Wildlife is urging anyone with information about the identity of the person (s) or vehicle, in this case, to call the OSP tip line at 1-800-452-7888, *OSP (*677), or email at TIP@osp.oregon.gov. Reference case number SP22288310. The Stop Poaching 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. Contact campaign coordinator Yvonne Shaw for more information. Yvonne.L.Shaw@odfw.oregon.gov.
