OSP wildlife troopers plan saturation patrols for poachers
Oregon State Police said Thursday their Fish and Wildlife troopers will be conducting saturation patrols on the state’s winter ranges to protect deer and elk from illegal activity and poachers.
Troopers also will be enforcing vehicle road closures that are critical in protecting wintering game, said OSP Captain Bill Fugate.
OSP Fish and Wildlife planes will be flying enforcement missions over the winter range areas during the day and night to find vehicles operating in areas with road closures, and illegal spot lighters at night.
Saturation patrols of the White River Wildlife Area, Silver Lake Unit, Fort Rock Unit, Paulina Unit and Metolius Unit will be of special emphasis because they are home to thousands of wintering deer and elk.
Winter range closures (closed to all public entry)
White River Wildlife Area (Wasco County), lands north of Forest Rd 27 closed to public access Dec. 1 – March 31.
Wenaha Wildlife Area (Wallowa County), closed to public access Jan. 1 – March 31. (Access still allowed at designated camping areas, on ODFW land along the Wenaha River, and between Grande Ronde River Road and Grand Ronde River from Redmond grade bridge below Troy to the mouth of the Wildcat Creek.)
Bridge Creek Wildlife Area (Umatilla County), closed Dec. 1 – April 14.
Elkhorn Wildlife Area (Baker and Union Counties), closed Dec. 1 – April 10.
Phillip W Schneider Wildlife Area (Grant County), closed Feb. 1 – April 14.
Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area (Union County), lands west of Foothill Rd closed Feb. 1-March 31
Starkey Experimental Forest Enclosure (Union County), closed Nov. 15 – April 30
Motor vehicle restrictions (see page 108-111 of 2017 Oregon Big Game Hunting Regulations)
Lost River Winter Range, closed to motor vehicles Dec. 1 – April 15
Bryant Mtn, close to motor vehicle use Nov. 1 – April 15
Tumalo Winter Range, restricted motor vehicle use Dec. 1 – March 31
Prineville Reservoir WA, closed to motor vehicle use Nov. 15/Dec. 1 – April 15
Cabin Lake-Silver Lake Winter Range, closed to motor vehicle use Dec. 1- March 31
Metolius Winter Range, restricted motor vehicle use Dec. 1 – March 31
Phillip W. Schneider Wildlife Area, some roads closed seasonally Dec. 1 – April 14, closed to entry Feb. 1 – April 14.
Spring Creek Winter Range, closed to motor vehicles Dec. 15 – April 30
McCarty Winter Range, closed to motor vehicles Dec. 15 – March 31
Lost River Winter Range, closed to motor vehicles Dec. 1 – April 15
