Officials find 17 dead, dying geese at Polk County wildlife refuge

OSP seeks tips to figure out what happened

DALLAS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Authorities turned to the public Monday for any information on what happened to leave 17 Canadian geese sick or dead on a wildlife refuge in Polk County.

Last Friday, Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife troopers and US Fish and Wildlife Service officers responded to the Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge near Coville Road in Polk County, west of Salem.

Troopers and officers located 17 Canadian geese sick or dead on the refuge.

OSP is requesting anyone with information regarding the sudden high mortality rate in this flock of geese to call OSP at 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP and leave information for Trooper Boeholt.

** Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators** 

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-Antelope

* 4 Points-Bear

* 4 Points-Cougar

Or the Oregon Hunters Association TIP reward fund also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Goat, Moose, Elk, Deer, Antelope, Bear, Cougar, Wolf, Upland Birds, Waterfowl, Furbearers, Game Fish and Shellfish.  Cash rewards can also be awarded for turning in people who destroy habitat, illegally obtain licenses/tags and for the unlawful lending/borrowing of big game tags.

CASH REWARDS:
* $1,000 Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Goat and Moose 
* $500 Elk, Deer and Antelope 
* $300 Bear, Cougar and Wolf 
* $300 Habitat Destruction

* $200 Illegally Obtaining License/Tag(s)

* $200 Unlawful Lend/Borrow Big Game Tags(s) 
* $100 Upland Birds and Waterfowl 
* $100 Furbearers 

* $100 Game Fish and Shellfish 

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

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

TIP E-Mail: TIP@state.or.us (Monitored M-F 8:00AM - 5:00PM)