Two Black Bears Illegally Shot, Found Dead in Oregon Trees

Investigators with Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division are looking for a suspect who illegally killed two black bears and left the bodies to decompose high up in trees.

Troopers received a citizen call in late October reporting the first bear being seen dead in the tree. It had been shot in the chest with an arrow near Talent, Oregon.

Authorities called in the Jackson County Fire Department to help remove the dead female bear from the tree. The carcass was approximately 45 feet up the tree and weighed 275 pounds.

Firemen used a roof hook and shook the tree to get the body down.

Upon examination of the carcass, the bear was noted to have multiple bullet and arrow wounds.

A second bear was then found in another tree, but was unable to be removed due to the decomposed condition of the carcass.

According to Jackson Co Fire District Five Captain Dave Meads:

“When we were called out, it wasn’t clear it was poaching. I’m an avid outdoorsman, and it’s important that people follow the rules ODFW sets to keep the opportunities. When certain people choose not to follow those rules, it affects everyone.”

Although about 25,000 to 30,000 black bears are believed to live in Oregon, poaching cases like this one are unusual.

Tips related to this poaching should be reported to the Oregon State Police Dispatch at 1-800-452-7888, *OSP (*677), with case #SP22291483.

Additional Sources: Central Oregon Daily News