Douglas Co. Poacher Arrested, March 21

The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division executed a search warrant early Sunday morning, concluding a year and half long investigation into the unlawful take of several black tail deer. Oregon State Police Troopers from the Albany and Roseburg area served a search warrant at a Winston address, where three sets of trophy black tail buck antlers and a center fire rifle were seized as evidence. David Barton, 28, of Winston, was cited and released on three counts of unlawful take/possession of buck deer. The search warrant was stemming from an investigation that showed Barton had killed several deer without any deer tags and was exceeding bag limits. A violation of any provision of the wildlife laws (such as the unlawful take of deer), or any rule adopted pursuant to the wildlife laws, is a Class A misdemeanor if the offense is committed with a culpable mental state in Oregon. If convicted, a person can be charged with the maximum penalty of $6250, have their hunting privileges suspended and forfeit weapons or other items used in the commission of the crime(s). Anyone with information regarding wildlife violations is encouraged to report the information to the Oregon State Police Turn in Poacher (TIP) hotline at 1-800-452-7888. Information can remain anonymous.