Reward of up to $1,000 for info on bull elk poachers south of Tri-Cities
Law enforcement is asking for the public’s help to find poachers who killed bull elk in areas just south of the Tri-Cities.
Oregon State Patrol said a bull elk with six points on each of its antlers was killed near Hermiston, in Umatilla County, Ore., between Sept. 4 and 5.
It was killed and left on private property adjacent to Cold Springs National Wildlife Refuge. No meat was able to be salvaged from the animal, according to state police.
In a second case, a poacher killed mature bull elk near Heppner, Ore., in Morrow County.
The elk was killed about 7:30 a.m. on private ranch land near the intersection of Forest Service Road 21 and Suflower Flat Road.
State police said most, but not all, of the meat was taken.
Anyone with information is asked to call 800-452-7888 or email TIP@osp.oregon.gov.
A cash reward of up to $1,000 and hunting preference points may be available if information leads to an arrest.
According to Protect Oregon’s Wildlife, about 300 big game animals are killed illegally each year in Oregon.