The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division in Ontario is asking for the public's assistance in locating the person(s) responsible for the waste of an elk that was discovered in the Owyhee Canal near Malheur Butte off of Foothill Drive outside of Ontario.
A Fish and Wildlife Officer responded to the call on Friday, December 8th. The officer located the skinned carcass of an adult elk. The carcass was intact except for the front shoulders, which were located nearby. The head and lower legs had been removed. There was a long rope attached to the neck and a short rope holding the rear legs together.
A reward is being offered by the Oregon Hunters Association through the Turn-In-Poachers (T.I.P.) program for any information leading to an arrest in this or any other wildlife case. Callers can remain anonymous. The T.I.P. program number is 1-800-452-7888.
Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact either the TIP hotline or by calling Trooper Anthony Spencer at the Oregon State Police Worksite in Ontario at 541-889-6469 extension 4772.
The Oregon Hunters Association offers rewards to persons, through their T.I.P. fund, for information leading to the issuance of a citation to a person(s), or an arrest made of a person(s) for illegal possession, killing, or taking of bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose, elk, deer, antelope, bear, cougar, wolf, furbearers and/or upland game birds and water fowl. T.I.P. rewards can also be paid for the illegal taking, netting, snagging, and/or dynamiting of game fish, and/or shell fish, and for the destruction of habitat.
In addition rewards may be paid for information leading to the issuance of a citation to a person(s), or an arrest made of a person(s) who have illegally obtained Oregon hunting/angling license or tags. People who "work" the system and falsely apply for resident license or tags are not legally hunting or angling and are considered poachers.
Rewards:
Bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose $1,000
Elk, deer, antelope $500
Bear, cougar, wolf $300
Habitat destruction $300
Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags $200 Game fish, shellfish $100
Upland birds, waterfowl $100
Furbearers $100
How to report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity:
T.I.P. Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 (24/7)
T.I.P. E-mail: TIP@state.or.us (Monitored M-F 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)