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July 22, 2024
MADRAS, Ore. — Poachers shot a mule deer doe with an arrow and left the carcass to waste in Madras on June 13. The reward for information leading to an arrest or citation is $1,000 or four ODFW hunter preference points.
OSP Fish and Wildlife Troopers received a call the same day and located the doe near NW Hart Street. Officials could not determine where the incident had originally taken place and the doe may have traveled some distance before collapsing.
Illegally killing doe deer in spring or early summer may lead to the death of fawns that still need milk and protection from their mothers, according to ODFW biologist Jamie Bowles.
"Mule deer already face barriers to migration routes, drought, and habitat reduction," Bowles said, "Poaching is an added factor in their decline."
The incident coincides with finalization of the revised Oregon Mule Deer Management plan. ODFW, agency partners and the general public contributed input on how to revive declining populations. Reducing poaching is one strategy that directly supports the species.
"This is a real problem and I wish more people would speak up about it," Bowles said, "Mule deer populations are on the decline, and we need to find ways to help them out, including turning in poachers."
Crimes against fish and wildlife often go undetected because Oregon is a large state and there are not enough OSP F&W Troopers to monitor the landscape. Last year, officials accounted for more than 5,000 animals that were illegally killed- likely a small fraction of the true number.
"We rely on the public to report suspicious activity, including poaching," said Protect Oregon's Wildlife- Turn in Poachers campaign coordinator, Yvonne Shaw. "People can report anonymously and if the report leads to an arrest or citation, they can earn cash rewards or hunter preference points.
Other tips for supporting mule deer populations include not feeding deer, which allows them to lose their fear of people. Feeding also leads to deer congregating in close quarters, which makes them susceptible to spreading diseases. Finally, watch for deer and other wildlife along roads during dusk and dawn hours. Bowles is passionate about supporting mule deer for future generations.
"There are so many things we can do to help mule deer," she said.
Anyone with information on this case should call the TIP hotline at 1-800-452-7888, email TIP@osp.oregon.gov, or contact OSP dispatch at *OSP (*677). Please reference case number SP24187072.
The Protect Oregon's Wildlife- Turn In Poachers Campaign educates the public on how to recognize and report poaching. This campaign is a collaboration among state agencies, sportsmen and other conservationists, landowners, and recreationists to engage the public in combatting Oregon's poaching problem. Our goal is to: Incentivize reporting on wildlife crimes through the TIP Line; Strengthen enforcement by increasing the number of OSP Fish and Wildlife Troopers; and Support prosecution in becoming an effective deterrent. The campaign helps to protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitat for the enjoyment of present and future generations. Contact campaign coordinator Yvonne Shaw for more information. Yvonne.L.Shaw@odfw.oregon.gov.
Photo caption: Mule deer doe discovered in a resident's back yard in Madras. Someone illegally shot the doe with an arrow. Based on the doe's age, physical condition and time of year, she likely had at least one nursing fawn.
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