** UPDATE ** OSP Seeks Information About Vandalism And Salmon Theft From Jackson County Fish Hatchery (Photo)
-08/06/25
UPDATE: The suspects have been identified. No additional information is needed at this time.
JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. (Aug. 4, 2025) – The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is seeking the public’s assistance to identify persons of interest in the vandalism of a cellular trail camera and taking of salmon from a fish trap at the Cole Rivers Fish Hatchery in Trail, Oregon.
The two individuals were first spotted by a trail camera at the hatchery on August 12, 2024, and returned on August 27, 2024, wearing motorcycle helmets, when they entered the stream around the fish trap at about 8 p.m., attempting to spear or gaff salmon. Trail camera photos showed one individual operating a red Harley-Davidson or similar motorcycle and the second operating a black sport bike. The subjects were accompanied by a black German Shepherd.
On July 5, 2025, at approximately 5 a.m., two masked individuals, matching the description and build of the two subjects from the prior year, were captured on a trail camera approaching the outflow fish trap wearing masks and baggy clothing. They were again accompanied by a black German Shepherd. One individual waded across the river and ripped the antenna off the cellular camera while the second individual remained on shore holding what looked like a large salmon net.
The following day, responding fish and wildlife troopers found the broken antenna and the trail camera pushed to the side. Personnel from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife later found the lock to the fish trap had been cut to gain access to the fish inside the trap. An unknown number of salmon were netted from the fish trap.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the Turn In Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-452-7888, *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone, or email TIP@osp.oregon.gov. Please reference case number #SP25-355670.
Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators
The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program is a collaboration between the Oregon State Police, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitter and Guides Association, and the Oregon State Marine Board.
The TIP program offers preference point rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of big game mammals.
Preference Point Rewards
5 Points: Bighorn Sheep
5 Points: Rocky Mountain Goat
5 Points: Moose
5 Points: Wolf
4 Points: Elk
4 Points: Deer
4 Points: Pronghorn Antelope
4 Points: Bear
4 Points: Cougar
The TIP program also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of the following fish and wildlife species. Cash rewards can also be awarded for habitat destruction, illegally obtaining a hunting or angling license or tag, lending or borrowing big game tags, spotlighting, or snagging.
Cash Rewards
Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) cash rewards:
$2,000 Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, or Moose
$1,000 Elk, Deer, or Antelope
$600 Bear, Cougar, or Wolf
$400 Game Fish & Shellfish
$400 Snagging/Attempt to Snag
$300 Habitat destruction
$200 Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags
$200 Unlawful lending/borrowing big game tag(s)
$200 Game Birds or Furbearers
$200 Spotlighting
Rewards for Game Fish & Shellfish and Snagging/Attempting to Snag are sponsored, in part, by Northwest Steelheaders Association and Coastal Conservation Association.
Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) Cash Rewards:
$500 Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Owl, Osprey
$500 Cougar, Bobcat, Beaver (public lands only), Black bears, Bighorn Sheep, Marten, Fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox
$1,000 Species listed as “threatened" or “endangered" under state or federal Endangered Species Act (excludes fish)
$10,000 for Wolves east of Highway 395 and $11,500 for Wolves east of Highway 395 and north of Highway 20
Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association (OOGA) Cash Rewards:
$200 Acting as an Outfitter Guide for the Illegal Killing of Wildlife, Illegally Obtaining Oregon Hunting or Angling Licenses or Tags, or Illegally Offering to Act as an Outfitter Guide as defined in ORS 704.010 and 704.020.
How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity:
TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP (*677)
TIP email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov (monitored Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
For more information, visit: www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/fw/Pages/tip.aspx
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About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that is charged with protecting the people, wildlife, and natural resources in Oregon. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.