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Reward Money Quadruples In Poaching Case

Oregon State Police.

As Oregon State Police continue looking into the unlawful killing of a bull elk in Douglas County, a hunters’ group has added to the reward money being offered.  As KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, this is one of the latest in a string of poaching cases. 

Initially, there was 500 dollars offered for tips leading to the arrest of those responsible for poaching the elk last month.  Now the Oregon Hunters Association Umpqua Chapter has added on, bringing the reward total to $2,000.

“I think the people who are most offended by this are hunters,” says Aaron Baimbridge, the Oregon State Police trooper taking tips in the case. 

Baimbridge says the trophy animal was shot between two houses in Glendale around 2:30 am on Saturday, September 17th

Besides endangering residents, Baimbridge adds it’s part of an ugly, wasteful trend.

“We’ve always had poaching, but typically it’s people that are either trying to get the meat or the antlers off the animal," he says. "But this is the second year now we’ve had over a dozen of these elk shot and left, and no one’s touched them.  And that’s a new one for us, that’s one that I don’t understand at all.  And so a lot of times, the meat is wasting not to mention a beautiful animal like that.” 

Oregon State Police say last week in Columbia County, an elk was killed then beheaded. The perpetrator left the rest of the carcass to waste.

Authorities say people may contact OSP Senior Trooper Aaron Baimbridge at 800-452-7888, (541)817-4473, or by email at aaron.baimbridge@state.or.us with any information regarding this case.  Information may be kept anonymous.   

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
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