OSP seeks tips to find who shot, killed Cascade Locks coot ducks

The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division asked for the public’s help Monday as it seeks information to identify the person(s) responsible for the unlawful killing of 15 to 20 coot ducks near Government Cove in Cascade Locks.

On the morning of Nov. 12, OSP was notified by a Hood River County sheriff’s deputy about the coot ducks floating dead near Government Cove in Cascade Locks, said OSP Lt. Bill Fugate.

There was no evidence at the scene to determine the cause of death, Fugate said. The Dalles ODFW went to Government Island and collected four coot ducks, sending them to the ODFW lab.

It was determined the coot ducks — not actually a duck, a member of the rail family — were killed by a small-caliber weapon, possibly a .17 caliber rifle or pellet gun was used to kill them.

Anyone with information regarding the case was asked to contact Senior Trooper Thaddeus Routson at The Dalles Patrol Office 541-296-9646 or through the Turn in Poachers (TIP) hotline at 1-800-452-7888. Information may be kept anonymous.

Visit the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website for more information about the American Coot Duck: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/species/birds/rails_coots_cranes.asp