The Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish and Wildlife Division has issued a call to the public for assistance in identifying individuals responsible for the illegal killing of a wolf in Union County. This case highlights the ongoing conflict between wildlife conservation efforts and illegal hunting practices. Last Wednesday, OSP Fish and Wildlife troopers found a wolf tracking collar on Catherine Creek Lane, leading to the discovery that the alpha male of the Frazier Mountain pack, known as Collar OR 86, had been poached.

The wolf carcass was not recovered, but the removed collar suggests that the crime took place sometime in January. The OSP, in a bid to swiftly apprehend the perpetrator, is now asking anyone with information to step forward. Informants can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a reward if their tip leads to an arrest or citation. The reward, under the Turn In Poachers (TIP) program, could be cash or preference points, depending on the nature of the violation.

Details regarding the rewards were sourced from the Oregon State Police's press release, which outlined the TIP rewards system. Notably, the program offers five preference points for information on the unlawful take of wolves, and the Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) provides cash rewards of up to $600 for such information. Additionally, significant cash rewards are offered for information on other conservation-related violations, including habitat destruction and the illegal killing of other protected species.

The TIP program is a collaborative effort among several organizations, including the OSP, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and various conservation groups. To report any wildlife and/or habitat law violations or suspicious activity, the public can contact the TIP hotline at 1-800-452-7888 or use their mobile phone to dial *OSP (*677). The hotline and dedicated email [email protected] monitored weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., serve as the primary channels for the public to provide potentially crucial information that could assist the investigation.