Illegal Bear Hunting on Coast, June 2

Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Troopers issued criminal citations to a Dallas subject for Unlawful Hunting Bears with the aid of Bait and Hunting outside of Unit Boundaries. According to Lieutenant Casey Thomas, on Sunday May 24th, Trooper Heather VanMeter located an active bear bait site near Logsden, Or in Lincoln County. On May 26th, Fish and Wildlife Troopers from the Newport Office were back in the area. At approximately 2:30 PM, John HAMBLIN, age 50 from Dallas, Oregon, was contacted as he was entering the bait site on foot. HAMBLIN was in possession of a rifle, compound bow, and a gallon bag of grain and tallow. HAMBLIN was also in possession of a SW Oregon Spring Bear Tag. HAMBLIN was cooperative and was cited and released criminally for Unlawful Hunting Bear with the Aid of Bait and Spring Bear Hunting Outside Unit Boundary. A compound bow, trail camera, rifle and tree stand were seized as evidence. Also seized were a 55 gallon plastic barrel and a 5 gallon can full of bait material. Using bait to attract black bear is illegal in Oregon, as is the use of dogs to locate and tree black bear. The public is asked to notify the Oregon State Police if a bear baiting site is located by calling the Turn in Poachers (TIP) hotline at 1-800-452-7888. The TIP hotline can be used to report all wildlife violations.