Editor’s Note: The photo contained below in this story may be found to be graphic by readers.
Prineville, Ore. — Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish and Wildlife troopers are asking for the public’s help identifying those responsible for the illegal killing of a buck deer on private property near Prineville late last month.
According to a news release issued Monday, Nov. 9th, troopers responded Thursday, Oct. 29th, to a report of a buck deer that had been illegally killed and harvested on private property along O’Neil Highway, near the intersections of Century Drive and Elliot Lane.
Investigators believe the deer was killed using archery equipment sometime between Monday, Oct. 26th, and Wednesday, Oct. 28th.
OSP noted that Oregon’s rifle deer hunting season had already concluded Oct. 14th, and no legal deer hunting season was open at the time or location where the animal was discovered.
Authorities have not identified any suspects and are seeking information from anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area during that period.
Rewards available for information leading to citation or arrest
The Oregon State Police Turn-In-Poachers (TIP) program offers rewards for information leading to an arrest or citation involving the unlawful taking, possession or waste of wildlife.
For cases involving deer, eligible tipsters may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000 through the Oregon Hunters Association or four hunting preference points.
The TIP program is a collaborative effort involving OSP, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Hunters Association and several other wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation organizations.
Rewards are also available for information involving other wildlife violations, including illegal hunting, unlawful use of hunting tags and habitat destruction.
How to report information
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Oregon State Police through one of the following methods:
- TIP hotline: 1-800-452-7888
- Mobile phone: Dial *OSP (*677)
- Email: [email protected]
Those providing information should reference OSP case number SP26-354801.
Tips may be submitted anonymously.
Additional information about the TIP program and available rewards can be found on the Oregon State Police website.
Mr. Alderman is an investigative journalist specializing in government transparency, non-profit accountability, consumer protection, and is a subject matter expert on Oregon’s public records and meetings laws. As a former U.S. Army Military Police Officer, he brings a disciplined investigative approach to his reporting that has frequently exposed ethics violations, financial mismanagement, and transparency failures by public officials and agencies.
