SALEM, Ore. — A young elk, shot through the spine and left struggling with paralyzed hind legs, is one of three new poaching cases that mark a continued disregard for laws set in place to preserve Oregon wildlife. Poachers also shot a blacktail doe near Newport, and a cow elk near Yaquina Head.
Callers who leave information that leads to an arrest or citation in any of these cases can receive a $500 cash reward from Oregon Hunters Association or four ODFW hunter preference points.
On Oct. 29, a member of the public in rural Yamhill County contacted OSP to report seeing a spike elk that had lost use of its hind legs. A spike elk is a young male, usually about a year old. The elk was found on private property at the end of Dodson Road northwest of the city of Yamhill, in the Trask unit. At that time there were no open bull elk seasons, although there were opportunities for cow elk.
Troopers responding to the call humanely dispatched the animal. They then followed the OSP procedure of donating meat from animals that have been killed illegally. The elk was slated to go to needy families through the Grand Ronde tribe. During processing, meat cutters found a bullet. The young elk had been shot through the spine and, in a cruel twist, left to suffer. Anyone with information should reference case #SP21306128.
On Oct. 28, a member of the public contacted OSP F&W after seeing a dead deer about 150 yards north of Euchre Creek Rd (also known as Euchre Flats Rd), in Newport. The reporting party first noticed the deer on Oct. 26. An OSP Fish & Wildlife Sergeant responded to the area and located a black-tailed doe that had been shot and left to
