Injured mule deer doe found in Union County, police seek shooter

ELGIN, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public's assistance to identify the person or persons responsible for unlawfully shooting a mule deer doe in Union County.

Reports of the injured deer near Elgin began on April 18, 2026 and the animal was later treated and released by wildlife officials on April 22, 2026.

The mule deer doe was found with arrows, believed to be crossbow bolts, lodged in its head and lower neck area. Fish and Wildlife troopers responded to public calls about the injured deer for several days, attempting to dispatch it safely but were unable to do so.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel successfully located and tranquilized the deer on April 22. They removed an arrow from its neck and an arrow previously seen in its head had fallen out. ODFW biologists determined the deer was in good condition, ear tagged it, treated its wounds and released it.

The Oregon State Police is seeking information regarding the attempted unlawful take of this mule deer doe. Anyone with information can contact the Turn-In-Poachers line at one-800-452-7888, dial *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone, or email TIP@osp.oregon.gov. The TIP email is monitored Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Callers should reference case number SP26-126854. More information is available on the Oregon State Police Turn-in-Poachers (TIP) web page.

Anyone with information regarding the attempted unlawful take of this mule deer doe is asked to call the Turn-In-Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-452-7888, *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone, or email TIP@osp.oregon.gov. Reference case number SP26-126854.

Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators 

The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program is a collaboration between the Oregon State Police, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitter and Guides Association, and the Oregon State Marine Board.

The TIP program offers preference point rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of big game mammals.  

Preference Point Rewards

5 Points: Bighorn Sheep

5 Points: Rocky Mountain Goat

5 Points: Moose

5 Points: Wolf

4 Points: Elk

4 Points: Deer

4 Points: Pronghorn Antelope

4 Points: Bear

4 Points: Cougar

The TIP program also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of the following fish and wildlife species. Cash rewards can also be awarded for habitat destruction, illegally obtaining hunting or angling license or tag, lending or borrowing big game tags, spotlighting, or snagging.

Cash Rewards

Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) cash rewards:

$2,000 Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, or Moose

$1,000 Elk, Deer, or Antelope

$600 Bear, Cougar, or Wolf
$400 Game Fish & Shellfish
$400 Snagging/Attempt to Snag

$300 Habitat destruction

$200 Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags

$200 Unlawful lending/borrowing big game tag(s)

$200 Game Birds or Furbearers

$200 Spotlighting

Rewards for Game Fish & Shellfish and Snagging/Attempting to Snag are sponsored, in part, by Northwest Steelheaders Association and Coastal Conservation Association.

Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) Cash Rewards:

$500 Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Owl, Osprey

$500 Cougar, Bobcat, Beaver (public lands only), Black bears, Bighorn Sheep, Marten, Fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox

$1,000 Species listed as “threatened" or “endangered" under state or federal Endangered Species Act (excludes fish)
$10,000 for Wolves east of Highway 395 and $11,500 for Wolves east of Highway 395 and north of Highway 20

Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association (OOGA) Cash Rewards:

$200 Acting as an Outfitter Guide for the Illegal Killing of Wildlife, Illegally Obtaining Oregon Hunting or Angling Licenses or Tags, or Illegally Offering to Act as an Outfitter Guide as defined in ORS 704.010 and 704.020.

How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity: 

TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP (*677)

TIP email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov (monitored Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

For more information visit the Oregon State Police Turn-in-Poachers (TIP) web page.