Update: $1,000 reward offered for tips after mule deer doe is shot, killed with arrow, left to waste in NW Madras

(Update: $1,000 reward offered, more details from ODFW)

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Poachers shot a mule deer doe with an arrow and left the carcass to waste in Madras a Madras neighborhood on Thursday, June 13. The reward for information leading to an arrest or citation is $1,000 or four ODFW hunter preference points, officials said Tuesday in an update on the case.

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 said the doe may have traveled some distance before collapsing, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said.

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 is urged to 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.

Theirr 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.

Earlier info:

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife said Tuesday it's seeking the public's help as it investigates the illegal take and waste of a mule deer doe in northwest Madras just over a month ago. 

On Thursday, June 13, Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife troopers received a report of a dead mule deer doe shot with an arrow. The doe was found in the area of NW Hart Street in Madras. The doe had likely been killed the same day and left to waste. The specific location where the deer was shot is not known, troopers said. 

The Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the person(s) responsible for killing the doe. Anyone with information is asked to contact 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. 

Asked why the public tips are being sought now, more than a month after the incident, OSP Captain Kyle Kennedy said, "Often, they (investigators) work these locally before seeking help."

"Many Fish and Wildlife cases start this way, with little or no information," he added. "So it's not unusual to work a case for a bit before pushing out a request for info."

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
$300 Habitat destruction 
$200 Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags
$200 Unlawful lending/borrowing big game tag(s)
$200 Game Fish & Shellfish
$200 Game Birds or Furbearers
$200 Spotlighting
$200 Snagging/Attempt to Snag

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)

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: www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/fw/Pages/tip.aspx