July 27, 2024 6:20 a.m.

Rewards have doubled for information leading to the individual(s) using pellet guns to harass and kill deer in the Roseburg area this summer following multiple calls to report carcasses to the Turn in Poachers line.

An update from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said the Oregon Hunters Association is offering $2,000 cash, or four ODFW hunter preference points for information that leads to an arrest or citation in any of the incidents.

Residents reported multiple black deer carcasses earlier this month in the Meadows neighborhood, northwest of Roseburg, where deer are known to roam. OSP Fish and Wildlife Troopers discovered five deer carcasses, including at least one that died from a pellet lodged in its lung.

OSP F&W Senior Trooper Jason Stone said, “It was a nice, forked buck that ended up dying next to a resident’s barn”. Stone said, “The pellet broke a rib and clipped its lung, which caused it to hemorrhage. Both lungs then filled with blood”.

Troopers canvassing the area learned that some residents use pellet guns to haze deer away from gardens and landscaping. This concerns people like Kelly Forney, who is both a state director and board member for the Umpqua chapter of OHA.

Forney said, “The wanton shooting of deer in this busy neighborhood is a serious offense that should be punished”. Forney said, “A significant TIP reward will encourage those that know about this crime to come forward”.

The update said hot weather conditions caused several of the carcasses to decompose, making it impossible to determine cause of death. The area is known to have Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, which is a viral infection. Deer with EHD become lethargic and lose their appetite, become weak, have bloody diarrhea, and show excessive salivation. They develop a rapid pulse and respiration rate along with fever.

Troopers say the fevered deer seek out water to cool down. Water also harbors mosquitos and gnats, which spread the disease. All five carcasses were located within 200 yards of stagnant ponds.

Those who know of or suspect other crimes against wildlife or habitat should report it to the Turn in Poachers line at 1-800-452-7888 or email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov.