On November 4, 2016, around 9:30 p.m., Troopers from the Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division observed from a distance a pickup truck on Weyerhaeuser property east of Springfield (Booth Kelly area) engaged in what appeared to be hunting by spotlight. A nearby State Police aircraft was summoned to assist in monitoring the vehicle until troopers on the ground could investigate closer.
While the aircraft was monitoring the suspects and directing the officers to the location of the suspect vehicle, the occupants spotlighted and shot a 3-pt Black-tail deer buck. The two men were dragging the deer back to their vehicle when troopers reached their location.
Sgt. Chris Ashenfelter and assisting officers contacted the men and confirmed the hunting activity. The temperature and condition of the deer confirmed it had just been taken by gunshot. Troopers cited both men after seizing the involved rifle, deer, and spotlight.
On January 19, 2017, Eugene resident KEVIN DUANE NEU, age 40, appeared with his lawyer in Lane County Circuit Court and plead guilty to Unlawful Aiding in Hunting and Taking of Deer with Artificial Light. He was sentenced to three years court probation, a 3-year suspension of his hunting privileges, a $1000 compensatory fine to the Oregon Hunter's Association TIP (Turn-in-Poacher) Program, and a condition that he not participate in any hunting excursions for the next three years.
On January 26, 2017, Springfield Resident SCOTT MICHAEL BLACHLY, age 40, appeared with his lawyer in Lane County Circuit Court and plead guilty to Unlawful Hunting and Taking Deer with Artificial Light. He was sentenced to three years court probation, a 3-year suspension of his hunting privileges, $1000 restitution to the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, and a condition that he not participate in any hunting excursions for the next three years. The Court also ordered the deer, BLACHLY'S rifle, and the spotlight forfeited.
Both men were trespassed by Weyerhaeuser from its timberland properties.
The salvageable meat from the deer was previously donated to a charity organization in Oakridge to be given to families in need.
Information on the T.I.P. Reward Program:
The T.I.P. reward is paid for by the Oregon Hunter's Association, for information leading to the issuance of a citation to a person(s), or an arrest made of a person(s) for illegal possession, killing, or taking of bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose, elk, deer, antelope, bear, cougar, wolf, furbearers and/or upland game birds and water fowl. T.I.P. rewards can also be paid for the illegal taking, netting, snagging, and/or dynamiting of game fish, and/or shell fish, and for the destruction of habitat.
In addition rewards may be paid for information leading to the issuance of a citation to a person(s), or an arrest made of a person(s) who have illegally obtained Oregon hunting/angling license or tags. People who "work" the system and falsely apply for resident license or tags are not legally hunting or angling and are considered poachers.
Rewards:
Bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose- $1000
Elk, deer antelope- $500
Bear, cougar, wolf- $300
Habitat destruction- $200
Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags- $100
Game fish, shell fish- $100
Upland birds, waterfowl- $100
Furbearers- $100
While the aircraft was monitoring the suspects and directing the officers to the location of the suspect vehicle, the occupants spotlighted and shot a 3-pt Black-tail deer buck. The two men were dragging the deer back to their vehicle when troopers reached their location.
Sgt. Chris Ashenfelter and assisting officers contacted the men and confirmed the hunting activity. The temperature and condition of the deer confirmed it had just been taken by gunshot. Troopers cited both men after seizing the involved rifle, deer, and spotlight.
On January 19, 2017, Eugene resident KEVIN DUANE NEU, age 40, appeared with his lawyer in Lane County Circuit Court and plead guilty to Unlawful Aiding in Hunting and Taking of Deer with Artificial Light. He was sentenced to three years court probation, a 3-year suspension of his hunting privileges, a $1000 compensatory fine to the Oregon Hunter's Association TIP (Turn-in-Poacher) Program, and a condition that he not participate in any hunting excursions for the next three years.
On January 26, 2017, Springfield Resident SCOTT MICHAEL BLACHLY, age 40, appeared with his lawyer in Lane County Circuit Court and plead guilty to Unlawful Hunting and Taking Deer with Artificial Light. He was sentenced to three years court probation, a 3-year suspension of his hunting privileges, $1000 restitution to the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, and a condition that he not participate in any hunting excursions for the next three years. The Court also ordered the deer, BLACHLY'S rifle, and the spotlight forfeited.
Both men were trespassed by Weyerhaeuser from its timberland properties.
The salvageable meat from the deer was previously donated to a charity organization in Oakridge to be given to families in need.
Information on the T.I.P. Reward Program:
The T.I.P. reward is paid for by the Oregon Hunter's Association, for information leading to the issuance of a citation to a person(s), or an arrest made of a person(s) for illegal possession, killing, or taking of bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose, elk, deer, antelope, bear, cougar, wolf, furbearers and/or upland game birds and water fowl. T.I.P. rewards can also be paid for the illegal taking, netting, snagging, and/or dynamiting of game fish, and/or shell fish, and for the destruction of habitat.
In addition rewards may be paid for information leading to the issuance of a citation to a person(s), or an arrest made of a person(s) who have illegally obtained Oregon hunting/angling license or tags. People who "work" the system and falsely apply for resident license or tags are not legally hunting or angling and are considered poachers.
Rewards:
Bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose- $1000
Elk, deer antelope- $500
Bear, cougar, wolf- $300
Habitat destruction- $200
Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags- $100
Game fish, shell fish- $100
Upland birds, waterfowl- $100
Furbearers- $100