Reward Offered in Poaching Investigation, Sept. 22

The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division continues to seek the public’s assistance with an ongoing investigation in southern Oregon involving the illegal shooting of a bull elk. The Humane Society of the Uni ted States (HSUS) and the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust are offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. On August 29, Oregon State Troopers from the Roseburg Area Command received a report of an elk shot and left to waste in the Panther Creek area off Highway 42 near the Coos and Douglas County line. Troopers responded to the area and found a four point bull elk who had been shot with a firearm in the stomach and left to waste. Scott Beckstead, Oregon Senior State Director for The HSUS, said: “Illegally shooting wild animals and leaving them to die is a senseless crime that the people of Oregon will not stand for. We commend the Oregon State Police for their persistence in apprehending the perpetrator.” The bull elk appeared to be shot and left sometime within the week leading up to August 29th. This is the third bull elk that has been shot in the area and left to waste since May. Oregon State Police encourages anyone with information to contact Trooper Tom Willis at 541-440-3334, ext. 3415.