Oregon poaching continues to be one of the most common game violations. This includes the illegal possession, killing, taking, and/or waste of deer, elk, antelope, bear, cougar, big horn sheep, mountain goat, moose, and/or game birds and the illegal taking, netting, snagging, and/or dynamiting of salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and/or large numbers of any fish listed in Oregon statute as a game fish.

Under the ODFW 2016 regulations, no person shall possess or transport any game mammal or part thereof, which has been illegally killed, found or killed for humane reasons, except shed antlers, unless they have notified and received permission from personnel of the Oregon State Police or ODFW prior to transporting. Any person who counsels, aids or assists in any violation of the wildlife laws, or shares in any of the proceeds of such violation by receiving or possessing any wildlife, shall incur the penalties provided for the person guilty of such violation.

Another type of Oregon poaching is hunting for or killing any wildlife for another person, unless otherwise permitted under the Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit. However, there are exceptions to this rule and they are as follows:

A visually impaired hunter may obtain an “Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit” which allows a sighted person to assist the permit holder. The accompanying person must have a valid Oregon hunting license and can assist the permit holder by: selecting a game mammal or game bird, aiming the firearm, advising the hunter when to shoot, or shooting a game mammal or game bird on behalf of the hunter; and
An able-bodied companion may accompany any person with an “Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit” and kill any animal wounded by the permit holder. The wounded animal must be killed using a legal weapon for the season and species designated on the tag. That companion must immediately attach the permit holder’s tag to the carcass of the animal. A companion dispatching a wounded animal is not required to possess a hunting license or tag.

If you have been accused of Oregon poaching, whether knowingly or by accident, contact our office today to schedule an initial consultation.