Tag: poaching

Wolf-poaching incident near Yellowstone under investigation

Authorities in Montana would not say how the wolf was killed or whether it might have belonged to one of Yellowstone National Park’s known packs.

Authorities in Montana are investigating a suspected wolf-poaching incident that occurred recently near Yellowstone National Park.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks stated Wednesday that the wolf was killed near Mol Heron and Cinnabar creeks northwest of Gardiner on Jan. 27.

Gardiner is just outside Yellowstone’s North Entrance.

FWP spokesman Morgan Jacobsen, citing an active investigation, did not provide details regarding how the wolf was killed or whether it had belonged to a pack that lives mostly inside the park.

“I can confirm that a wolf died likely as a result of a poaching incident a few miles north of Yellowstone National Park,” Jacobsen told FTW Outdoors. “And Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is conducting an investigation.”

The Yellowstone National Park Public Affairs Office also declined to provide details, citing the FWP investigation.

News From The States reports that the wolf was killed inside Montana’s Wolf Management Unit 313, where a hunting quota of six wolves was filled by Dec. 27.

All six wolves, as a Yellowstone National Park spokeswoman recently confirmed to FTW Outdoors, “belonged to packs that spend the majority of their lives inside Yellowstone National Park and have territories largely within the park.”

FWP is seeking help from the public as part of its investigation. Anyone with potentially helpful information is asked to visit myfwp.mt.gov/fwpPub/tipmont or call 1-800-TIP-MONT.

Informants could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

–Generic Yellowstone wolf image courtesy of the National Park Service

Feds offer $50,000 reward after 3 wolves are found dead in Oregon

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is hoping the large sum will help authorities catch those responsible for poaching three endangered wolves from the same pack.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is hoping that a $50,000 reward will help authorities catch and prosecute the person or persons responsible for killing three endangered wolves in Oregon.

An investigation was launched after Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife troopers found the carcasses of two collared research wolves and an un-collared wolf last Dec. 29 in Klamath County.

All three wolves – a breeding adult female (OR115) and two subadults – belonged to the Gearhart Mountain Pack.

Troopers responded after Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife  biologists received mortality signals from the two collars.

The ODFW stated Friday in a news release: “ODFW and OSP are assisting USFWS in the investigation of three Gearhart Mountain Pack wolves found dead in late December.

“ODFW is aware of seven wolves remaining in the Gearhart Mountain Pack including the breeding male. ODFW continues to monitor these wolves.”

Neither agency revealed how the wolves were killed but the case is reminiscent of a 2021 case – also involving a $50,000 reward – centered around the poisoning deaths of all five members of the Catherine wolf pack.

Gray wolves are federally endangered in the western two-thirds of Oregon.

Anyone with potentially helpful information is asked to call the USFWS at (503) 682-6131, or the Oregon State Police Dispatch at (800) 452-7888. Tipsters can also text *OSP (*677), or email TIP@osp.oregon.gov.

Callers can remain anonymous.

–Generic gray wolf image courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Boy, 11, helps Oregon troopers nab deer poacher

The boy was home sick from school when he witnessed the unlawful killing of a deer on private property.

An 11-year-old Oregon boy has been rewarded $1,000 for providing a tip that led to the arrest of a deer poacher.

The Oregon State Police explained in a news release that the boy, Gage, witnessed the unlawful killing and retrieval of a deer on private property.

Gage was home from school with an illness at the time. He reported the incident via the state’s Turn in Poachers (TIP) hotline.

The reward came from the Oregon Hunters Association and Gage told OSP troopers that he was considering using some of the money to purchase gaming goggles.

–Image courtesy of the Oregon State Police

Hunter who bagged potential record deer under investigation

Christopher J. Alexander, who gained notoriety after killing the buck during archery season, is facing poaching allegations.

An Ohio hunter who gained notoriety after killing a potential record white-tailed deer last month during archery season is at the center of a poaching investigation.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources on Tuesday confirmed that its Division of Wildlife is investigating allegations that Christopher J. Alexander, 28, of Wilmington, failed to obtain written permission from the owner of the private land on which the deer was harvested.

“While the investigation continues, Ohio wildlife officers have seized the antlers, cape, and hunting equipment associated with the alleged unlawful taking of the deer,” the DNR stated in a news release.

According to Outdoor Life, hunters on social-media forums had expressed suspicion that the deer might have been harvested illegally at night, since published photos showing Alexander posing with the buck were taken after dark.

Alexander’s explanation, according to Outdoor Life, was that the deer was harvested during legal hours but the photos were taken later, after a friend’s girlfriend arrived with a camera.

The DNR did not mention allegations of after-hours hunting.

The agency stated, simply, that the investigation was launched “after information was provided alleging that Alexander failed to obtain the lawfully required written permission prior to hunting on private property.”

Outdoor Life, citing an expert, reported that the buck warranted a “green score” of 206 7 / 8 inches.

“With that preliminary score,” the publication continued, “the buck would have the potential to be the number one typical whitetail taken in the state of Ohio, and the number three typical whitetail taken in North America.”

Alexander faces a significant fine, at the least, if he’s found guilty of illegally harvesting the buck.

–Generic white-tailed deer image courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Two men indicted for selling eagles in ‘killing spree’ of 3,600 birds

The alleged poachers face years in prison and fines up to $250,000 after being indicted by a federal grand jury in Montana.

Two men who allegedly killed approximately 3,600 birds, including bald eagles and golden eagles, face years in prison and fines up to $250,000 after being indicted by a federal grand jury in Montana.

Simon Paul and Travis John Branson are accused of poaching bald eagles and golden eagles on the Flathead Indian Reservation and elsewhere from January 2015 to March 2021 and then illegally selling them on the black market, according to the indictment posted online by the Daily Montanan.

“During the investigation, law enforcement uncovered messages from Branson and others describing the illegal taking of eagles by stating, ‘[O]ut [here] committing felonies,’ and telling buyers he was ‘on a killing spree’ to obtain eagle tail feathers for future sales,” the indictment states.

They were indicted on one count of conspiracy (penalty is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine), 13 counts of unlawful trafficking of bald and golden eagles (penalty for first offense is one year in prison and a $5,000 fine, second and subsequent conviction is two years in prison and a $10,000 fine), and one count of violating the Lacey Act involving wildlife with a market value in excess of $350 (penalty is five years in prison and a $20,000 fine).

The Lacey Act combats trafficking of illegally taken wildlife, fish or plants.

The indictment details the sale of 13 bald eagle and golden eagle parts or entire birds with the dates each were poached.

“From January 2019 until March 2021, Simon Paul lived near Ronan on the Flathead Indian Reservation, and he was a ‘shooter’ and ‘shipper’ of bald and golden eagles for Travis John Branson,” the indictment reads. “When Branson arrived on the Flathead Indian Reservation, Paul would meet and help kill, transport, and ship bald and golden eagles for future sales on the black market.”

On March 13, 2021, Brandon and Paul used a “previously killed deer to lure in eagles,” and shot and killed a golden eagle that day.

“A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana said they could not comment further on the indictment and case,” the Daily Montanan reported. “Paul and Branson were issued summons to appear in court in Missoula on Jan. 8 for arraignments.”

The Daily Montanan reported that a man from Hardin, Montana, was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay $70,000 in restitution for killing 14 juvenile eagles after he was indicted in May 2022. He was found guilty of three violations of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

Photos courtesy of Wikipedia Commons and the Missouri Dept. of Conservation.

Bears, wolf and bighorn sheep poached in same Oregon county

Authorities in Oregon are investigating recent poaching incidents involving black bear cubs, a gray wolf, and a bighorn sheep.

Authorities in Oregon are investigating recent poaching incidents involving black bear cubs, a gray wolf, and a bighorn sheep.

Each incident occurred in Baker County during the last week of November, and in each case the animals were killed unlawfully and left to waste.

It was not known if a single poacher was responsible.

The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division stated in a news release that on Nov. 27 two bear cubs were found dead off USFS 77 Road inside the Keating Wildlife Management Unit.

Both animals had been shot.

On the same day, Fish & Wildlife troopers, acting on a tip, found a wolf carcass near Sparta Road, also within the Keating Wildlife Management Unit.

On Nov. 30, a trooper responded to the discovery of a bighorn sheep ram that had been shot and left – without its head and horns – near Hubbard Creek Road within the Lookout Mountain Wildlife Management Unit.

The Lookout Wildlife Management Unit is directly below the Keating Wildlife Management Unit.

The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s help in identifying the person or persons responsible for the unlawful killings.

The agency’s tip lines are 800-452-7888 or *OSP (for mobile phone users). Rewards are being offered in each case.

–Generic black bear image courtesy of ©Pete Thomas

Montana boosts reward in wolverine poaching case

Montana authorities are hoping that an increased reward will help them catch the person who killed one of the state’s rarest animals.

Montana authorities are hoping that an increased reward will lead to the identification of the person who killed a protected wolverine – one of the state’s rare animals.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announced last week that the wolverine carcass was discovered Nov. 10 on a U.S. Forest Service Road northwest of Wisdom.

The animal had been shot, skinned, and left to waste.

On Monday the Center for Biodiversity announced that it had helped the state increase the reward “for information leading to a successful prosecution” from $1,000 to $11,000.

“The wolverine was shot dead and skinned along a closed U.S. Forest Service road on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest,” the Center for Biodiversity stated via social media. “Scientists estimate wolverine populations in the lower 48 may be fewer than 300 animals, making this death significant.”

The elusive mammals inhabit mostly remote, high-altitude terrain and encounters with humans are rare.

Poacher kills one of Montana’s rarest critters; probe launched

Authorities in Montana are seeking public assistance in identifying the person responsible for the illegal killing of a wolverine.

Authorities in Montana are seeking public assistance in identifying the person responsible for illegally killing a wolverine.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks on Thursday said the wolverine carcass was discovered Nov. 10 on U.S. Forest Service Road 7377, northwest of Wisdom.

The animal had been shot, skinned, and left to rot.

Wolverines, described by Fish, Wildlife & Parks as “one of Montana’s rarest animals,” are protected and cannot be legally hunted or trapped.

The stout mammals, which inhabit mostly remote, high-altitude regions of Alaska, Canada, and the northwest continental U.S., are elusive and encounters are rare.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Their populations and movements are poorly understood, but studies have shown that they roam long distances while expanding home ranges.

Wolverines are almost bear-like in appearance and can be ferocious. Fish, Wildlife & Parks states on its website: “Some describe a wolverine as an animal with a thousand pounds of attitude in a 30-pound body.”

According to the National Wildlife Federation, resident populations exist in Alaska, Canada and Russia, as well as Washington, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and a small portion of Oregon.

A wolverine sighting in Yellowstone National Park early last March generated lots of excitement because sightings in the park are so rare.

Wisdom is located about 200 miles northwest of Yellowstone.

–Generic wolverine images courtesy of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Poacher forfeits car and crossbow, and is fined in ‘deer jacking’ case

In a case that began three years ago, a poacher was mandated to forfeit his vehicle and weapon, and was fined for his wildlife crimes.

In a case that began three years ago, a poacher was mandated this week to forfeit his vehicle and weapon, and was ordered to pay fines and lose his hunting privileges for his wildlife crimes.

Shane Phillips, 43, of Johnson, Vermont, was cited for “deer jacking”—also known as illegally shooting deer at night—after being caught in the act in October 2020 during in a sting operation conducted by game wardens from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, according to VFWD.

“During the field operation game wardens witnessed an occupant of a black Buick Regal use an artificial light to illuminate two ‘deer facsimiles’—lifelike model deer placed by game wardens to draw out poachers after the close of legal shooting hours or outside of the legal hunting season,” the VFWD stated. “Wardens watched as the suspect then shot the buck facsimile with a crossbow.”

The suspect fled the scene when confronted, but the subsequent investigation led law enforcement to Phillips.

Law enforcement confiscated his car and executed a search warrant whereupon officers discovered the crossbow and determined “it had been fired.”

Philips was cited in court in 2020 for taking big game by illegal means, taking big game in a closed season, shooting from a motor vehicle, shooting from a public highway and possessing a cocked crossbow in a motor vehicle.

From VFWD:

Phillips must pay $2,877 in fines and will lose his privileges to hunt, fish, and trap for three years.  In addition, on October 2, 2023, the Lamoille County Superior Court mandated that Phillips forfeit the 2011 Buick Regal and Bear Saga crossbow that he used while deer jacking to the state.

“Prosecuting law violators takes time,” said Game Warden Lt. Carl Wedin.  “Catching a deer jacker in the act is one thing, seeing justice served is an entirely different operation.  Vermont hunters can be gratified to see this poacher forfeit his vehicle and weapon, in addition to his fine and loss of his hunting privileges for the next three years.”

Photo of artificial deer courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife.

Mother and son who killed two bear cubs pay for crimes; is it enough?

Mother and son poachers committed the crime while trespassing on private property. Now they must pay restitution for their senseless acts.

Mother and son poachers who killed two bear cubs while trespassing on private property in Oregon last October must pay $15,000 in damages.

Gail Faye Freer, 52, and her son Corey Douglas Loving II, 29, also lost their hunting privileges for three years and will be on bench probation for 60 months, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Tuesday.

“There is no excuse for taking two 8-month-old bear cubs, plus the meat was not taken care of and went to waste,” ODFW District Wildlife Biologist Jason Kirchner said. “This is a loss to Oregonians and to those who respect, value, enjoy, and manage our state’s wildlife resources.”

On or about Oct. 9, 2022, Loving and Freer were trespassing on private land when they spotted a bear cub. Freer encouraged Loving to shoot it, and he did.

They returned to the scene later to ensure the cub had died. But they spotted a cub foraging in the same place. Loving shot it, thinking it was the same bear, but it turned out to be a second cub, which they discovered when they approached the bushes.

An anonymous call to the Turn in Poachers (TIP) Line days later led Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Troopers to the carcasses. The mother bear was never found.

Stop Poaching campaign coordinator Yvonne Shaw said the act shows a blatant disregard for wildlife laws.

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“This was a combination of trespassing, poaching and leaving an animal to waste,” Shaw said. “This demonstrates an attitude of lawlessness while they deprive others of the experience of encountering or hunting these animals during a legal season.”

On Jan 1, 2018, Oregon state legislators doubled, tripled and even quintupled poaching penalties for more than a dozen wildlife species, according to The Oregonian. For unlawfully killing a bear, the penalty is $7,500.

The question is, is it enough?

Photo courtesy of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.