Poachers slapped with stiff penalties in OR

[bracer40]

Just saw this in one of the other forums I belong to. I've read a number of threads on Hunt-WA decrying how light our state's penalties tend to be for poachers of wildlife and was glad to see they hit these guys in OR pretty hard.

OREGON STATE POLICE

Captain Jeff Samuels, Division Director Wildlife
A 20 year old Bend area man was sentenced related to multiple crimes following a seven month investigation
by Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish & Wildlife Division troopers in Central Oregon into big game poaching in
the Metolius Wildlife Management Area.

July 2012,

OSP Fish & Wildlife troopers, with the assistance of U.S. Forest Service law enforcement and Deschutes
County Sheriff's Office, completed the investigation and identified suspects. During the investigation, locks
were discovered shot off gates leading to critical mule deer winter range habitat. Many of the animals were
killed at night with the aid of artificial lighting. Troopers examined the remains of 20 deer and two elk.
Several of the larger bucks' carcasses were found with the head s removed, and some of the doe deer were
shot and left to waste.
With the assistance of Jefferson County District Attorney's Office, Deschutes County District Attorney's Office, and Jackson County District
Attorney's Office, charges were filed and two men pled guilty and were sentenced.

ONE defendant, Tyler S. Mitchell, age 20, pled guilty in in November 2012 to multiple charges and was
SENTENCED-to 180 days in jail, lifetime hunting license suspension, restitution, and 60 months' probation.
The SECOND defendant, Cole A. Craig, age 20, from Bend, was sentenced Friday, January 10,Cole pled guilty to a
total of 23 counts, mostly wildlife crimes, including one count of Aggravated Animal Abuse related to an
intentional act(s) outside of normal and acceptable hunting activities. Sentencing included:
230 days in jail, Lifetime hunting license suspension, Lifetime ban on possessing firearms, Five years’ probation 400 hours of
community service, Pay restitution totaling $13,600, Potential 30 month prison sentence for any probation violation
 Four months in jail concurrent with Jefferson County sentence, 20 days in Deschutes County Jail, 36 months’ probation
with potential of 28 month prison sentence for a violation of probation terms. 300 hours community service consecutive with
Jefferson County sentence. $11,971.37 in fines. Lifetime revocation of hunting privileges.
A THIRD subject, Craig Yekel, pled guilty to multiple wildlife charges and was sentenced to:
80 hours of community service, Forfeiture of a .243 rifle and scope, $635 in fines, Hunting license suspension for
36 months, 18 months of bench probation.

[MLBowhunting]

 

[bobcat]

Looks like the punishment was fair but possibly still on the light side, in my opinion. It's great that they lost their firearm rights for life.

[stromdiddily]

Looks like the punishment was fair but possibly still on the light side, in my opinion. It's great that they lost their firearm rights for life.

Was thinking the same thing. It sounds like they did a number on a serious amount of wildlife

[MLBowhunting]

Lifetime hunting ban also

[idahohuntr]

Lifetime hunting ban also

I like this...usually makes it a crime to even accompany someone hunting so its much more difficult for them to poach...warden even sees them in/around the woods with a gun and they get arrested.

[TVHunts]

I like the direction Oregon headed but still too light in my opinion.  I like the lifetime ban on possessing firearms part of it. 

[cbond3318]

I think they hit at least the main guy well enough, what more can you ask for than lifetime gun possession and hunting ban, throw on some decent jail time and restitution that will likely keep him in the red for years to come! I think finally the shoe fits just right.   

[180-GRAIN]

Just my opinion but all poaching cases should have stiff penalties like this case and some even more of a punishment.

[Skillet]

This picture was published with the original article from July 2012. 

[bigtex]

Just my opinion but all poaching cases should have stiff penalties like this case and some even more of a punishment.

The potential is there in WA. In WA the penalty for big game poaching per animal is a criminal fine of up to $5,000 and up to 364 days in jail, PLUS a mandatory civil fine which is dependent on the animal (non-trophy deer/elk is $2,000). However typically in WA you see all the jail and criminal fines suspended and just the mandatory civil fine handed down.

[pashok23]

 Lifetime hunting license suspension, Lifetime ban on possessing firearms.Sucks to be them.obviously they like hunting,no more hunting...unless they will start pouching again.IDIOTS

[northwesthunter84]

I think these penalties were definitely light.  Come on so they took away hunting privileges, these guys were poachers.  They obviously didn't care about hunting seasons/privileges to begin with.  Also only one guy lost his firearm privileges.  All of them should have been slapped with felony charges and lost weapons.  Anything less than a year in jail for these kind of violations is a joke.  The fact is I could screw up on the last day and shoot an elk that someone hit with an arrow on opening day.  If I don't call and inform WDFW before touching the animal, I have just violated at least 3 wildlife codes (unlawful harvest of wounded game, illegal transportation of game for example) and could be up for a felony charge and a trophy animal fine.  All of that carries similar fines and jail time as these guys got and I did everything legally with the exception of calling the DFW.   

[bigtex]

If I don't call and inform WDFW before touching the animal, I have just violated at least 3 wildlife codes (unlawful harvest of wounded game, illegal transportation of game for example) and could be up for a felony charge and a trophy animal fine.  All of that carries similar fines and jail time as these guys got and I did everything legally with the exception of calling the DFW.

The only time you would be up for felony charges in WA for big game is a) you have a prior big game conviction or b) the killing was apart of what is commonly known as "spree killing." Otherwise it is impossible for a felony offense to be applied based on the info you are providing.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

I think these penalties were definitely light.  Come on so they took away hunting privileges, these guys were poachers.  They obviously didn't care about hunting seasons/privileges to begin with.  Also only one guy lost his firearm privileges.  All of them should have been slapped with felony charges and lost weapons.  Anything less than a year in jail for these kind of violations is a joke.  The fact is I could screw up on the last day and shoot an elk that someone hit with an arrow on opening day.  If I don't call and inform WDFW before touching the animal, I have just violated at least 3 wildlife codes (unlawful harvest of wounded game, illegal transportation of game for example) and could be up for a felony charge and a trophy animal fine.  All of that carries similar fines and jail time as these guys got and I did everything legally with the exception of calling the DFW.

BigTex is probably the one to ask, but I believe you'd only be in trouble for shooting a wounded animal, before contacting a Fish and Wildlife official, if you didn't have the proper tag for the animal or the season wasn't open. If the season is open and you have the right tag you should be clear to shoot. You will have to tag it though.