Poachers of 7X10 bull get $15,000 fine

[Orygun]

A Walla Walla Bow tag takes 12 yrs of more to draw, the rifle hunt is a 20 yr wait.


A Division investigation into the unlawful taking of a trophy bull elk in
northeast Oregon during a closed season led to the conviction of a Hermiston-
area father and son. In September 2010, Pendleton troopers received
information that a suspect and his father unlawfully took a trophy bull elk in the
Walla Walla Unit with a rifle during the last day of the 2010 archery season.
Troopers responded to the suspect’s residence and subsequently seized a large
10 x 7 trophy-class bull elk and a rifle allegedly used to kill the elk. Troopers
also located the scene east of Milton-Freewater where the bull elk was killed
and found the elk’s carcass. Upon inspection they determined the meat had
spoiled and was no longer fit for human consumption. On March 17, the son
pled guilty in Umatilla County Circuit Court to Theft First Degree, Waste of
Wildlife, and Illegal Take of Wildlife. The court sentenced him to $15,000
joint restitution with his father to ODFW, 180 days in jail—suspended, three
years bench probation, three years hunting license suspension, and forfeiture of
seized evidence to the State of Oregon. On April 24, the father pled guilty in
Umatilla County Circuit Court to Theft First Degree and Aiding in a Wildlife
Violation. The court sentenced him to $15,000 joint restitution with his son to
ODFW, 180 days in jail—suspended, three years bench probation, and
forfeiture of seized items to the State of Oregon.
Two Sentenced Related to Unlawful Take and Waste of Trophy Bull in NE Oregon
Trophy bull poached in northeastern Oregon. Photo credit: File

 

[Westcoastbowhntr]

Not enough. Poachers get off way to easy. Especially these two.

 

[Superduty65]

You know, this is always a sad situation. It happens way more often that we read about. I can't say whether it was enough for these two or not because I don't know who they are and their "overall" character. However, I do hope that in the end of their suspension they have learned their lesson and become advocates against this type of behavior. They probably won't but let's hope. That's a beautiful elk and I'ts a shame it didn't go to a deserving hunter.

 

[leftyhunter]

I hate to say it but the poachers in a sense won. A guided hunt for a trophy elk plus out of state tags and travel costs would be close to 7.5k. Granted the poachers were resies who knew the area but my point is the punishment was to light. The only punishment that will deter hunters of trophy animals is some serious hard time. Somehow hunters need to motivate state legislatiors to pass laws mandating jail time for poaching. Such pressure has o come from Republican legislators. I live in a very blue district where i could most likely count all the hunters on my fingers and toes.

Leftyhunter

 

[easymoney]

They got off scot free.
I used to hunt the eastern Or zones for years but it became a match between guides and local ranchers as to who actually got the tag and who shot the bull. Many ranches with little cover or feed held the herds and the forest or wilderness got huge ATV or guide activity .
I won't go go or even buy a tag because it has gotten so out of control.

 

[BelchFire]

Was this a state charge, or a federal charge? Was this a Felony, or a Misdemeanor? Consider this. The article doesn't say, but IF it was a FELONY and IF they could have been sentenced to a year in jail (even if they weren't), they have to answer "yes" on any 4473 that they fill out to buy a gun, thus prohibiting the sale of the gun. I wonder if they could have been sentenced to a year in jail for this case?