OSP seeks public’s help identifying suspects in Eagle Cap elk killing
UNION COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s help identifying the person or people responsible for killing and wasting a bull elk in the Eagle Cap Wilderness.
OSP says the bull elk was likely killed the evening of Thursday, Sept. 10, or the morning of Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
The elk was found along the Elk Creek Trail, Trail No. 1944, east of Burger Pass. The closest trailhead is the Buck Creek Trailhead, east of Union. Investigators say the elk was killed approximately six miles from the nearest trailhead.
The bull had been gutted, and its head and antlers were removed, but all of the meat was left behind.
OSP believes the elk was likely killed by someone participating in the Eagle Cap Zone archery elk hunt.
Anyone who was hunting, horse packing or hiking in the area from the Buck Creek Trailhead or along the Elk Creek Trail near Burger Pass on Sept. 10 or 11 is asked to contact the OSP Fish and Wildlife Division.
Tips can be submitted through the Turn In Poachers (TIP) hotline at 1-800-452-7888 or by calling *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone. Callers should reference case number SP26-308328.
Tipsters can remain anonymous.
TIP program offers rewards
The Turn In Poachers program is a partnership between Oregon State Police, the Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitters and Guides Association and Oregon State Marine Board.
The program offers preference-point rewards for information that leads to an arrest or citation for the unlawful take, possession or waste of big game mammals.
A conviction involving elk can result in a four-point preference-point reward.
Cash rewards are also available for information leading to an arrest or citation for certain wildlife violations and habitat destruction.
The Oregon Hunters Association offers a $1,000 reward for information involving elk, deer or antelope.
Tips can also result in rewards for violations involving other wildlife, illegal hunting or angling licenses or tags, unlawful lending or borrowing of big game tags, spotlighting and habitat destruction.
The Oregon Wildlife Coalition and Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association also offer additional rewards for certain violations.
How to report
- TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888
- Mobile: *OSP (*677)
- Email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov
- Case number: SP26-308328
The TIP email is monitored Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, visit the Oregon State Police Turn In Poachers (TIP) webpage.
