Search Continues for Serial Poachers

By Rudabeh Shahbazi

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Summary

A dozen deer and an antelope have been poached in the Heppner area in recent weeks.

Story Published: Sep 7, 2008 at 10:04 AM PST

HEPPNER-- Police say a 16-year-old turned himself and a friend in for illegally shooting six deer, most of them on private property.

The problem is, they were the wrong six dead deer.

"When I arrived at his house and heard what he had to say, realized it wasn't even the same incident we were looking at, I was blown away," said Oregon State Trooper Mike Mayer. "Absolutely blown away."

Mayer said the area has never seen such a big poaching problem. A dozen deer and an antelope have been illegally killed in recent weeks. He added that it can take weeks or months to find them, when they are hidden from view in tall fields.

Mayer said the killings were in vain because none of the animals could be salvaged for meat.

State Patrol and a private landowner are offering a reward of $1,000 for information through the "Turn In Poachers" program. You can call the tip line with information at 1-800-452-7888.