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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 2018)
fishing and hunting february15 13 OHA’s Turn In Poachers (TIP) Fund Pays Record $24,200 in Rewards 2018 The Oregon Hunters Associa- tion’s (OHA) Turn In Poachers (TIP) reward fund paid a record $24,200 in rewards to informants in poaching cases last year, according to a report delivered to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Com- mission by OHA State Vice President John Gander on February 9 in Portland. The rewards were paid in 50 separate fish and wildlife violation cases reported to Oregon State Police Offices throughout the state, including three in Columbia County. Both the number of cases and reward sums easily eclipsed all previous marks in the program’s 32-year history. Reward cases in recent years have typi- cally numbered from 20 to 35, and total reward amounts averaged approximately $10,000 annually. OHA in 2017 increased the stan- dard reward amounts, which now range from $100 for birds, fish, and furbear- ers to $500 for deer, elk, and antelope, and $1,000 for bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and moose. OHA State Coordinator Duane Dungannon, whose OHA Office issues the reward checks, believes the increased reward amounts likely contributed to the sharp increases in cases as well as the sum of rewards. “Obviously increasing the amounts of each reward will result in a greater total paid for the year, but the jump in the number of TIP cases – where a caller requests the reward – suggests there’s more going on,” Dungannon said. “The rewards offered are included in news releases published in local me- dia when a poaching case occurs and police are looking for leads, so members of the public can see that we’re offering them some sizable sums to do the right thing.” An increased level of public awareness may be a factor, as well, ac- cording to Lieutenant Craig Heuberger of the Fish and Wildlife Division at the Oregon State Police headquarters in Sa- lem. “I think it is a combination of different things,” Heuberger said. “We are doing a better job of advertising the TIP program through social media such as our monthly newsletter, Twitter, and Facebook. When we make a TIP case and are able to promote it, we try to channel that information out to the pub- lic every chance we get. “Internally we have changed the administration of the TIP program to make it easier for the Troopers to get the information they need to promote the TIP program to the public, and we have also streamlined the reporting mecha- nism to make it easier for Troopers to turn the documentation in that is need- ed to facilitate a TIP request to OHA.” Started in 1986 with start-up funds from OHA and Leupold & Ste- vens, the TIP fund is largely self-sus- taining as the result of courts ordering convicted violators to pay restitution to the fund. The $23,917 restitution paid to the reward fund in 2017 nearly equaled the reward amounts paid for the year. Poaching will be a major em- phasis in the current state legislative session that recently opened. One bill would better enable courts to apply the penalties already in place for poaching. In addition, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will present a pro- posal for a poaching public awareness campaign, mandated by a budget note requested by OHA and attached to the agency’s budget when it was approved last year. OHA chapters and other con- servation groups sometimes pledge additional amounts in particularly hei- nous poaching cases. Reward offers have exceeded $17,000 in a few cases, including one involving a recent north- east Oregon bighorn sheep poaching and another in a southern Oregon elk killing and wasting spree that took place for an extended period of time. When the reward of $17,500 was of- fered, the elk killing stopped. Columbia Humane Society Featured Pet Dolly is my name and being as cute as can be is my game. I came to the shelter from another shelter. I get along ok with other dogs, however I don't put up with any bull. I am a bundle of love and I love to be with my people. The shelter has me on joint supplements as the vets have found that I don't have the best hips. I also am on a specialized food as I kinda have a tricky tummy. I walk great on a leash, I know how to lay down, sit, and come when I am called. Please note that the kennels at CHS are not open to the public. If you are inter- ested in meeting a dog please either call or email. We will be very happy to talk to you about our adoption process and how we can help you in your quest to find that perfect pet for your family. CHS is committed to our pets and we want to be sure that proper placement is made not only for our animals’ sake, but also for our adopters. For this reason our adoptions are not always first come first served. If we have several applications on one animal we will weigh our options and make the choice that is the best fit for the pets. Phone: 503-397-4353 2084 Oregon Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 OHA (oregonhunters.org) is the state’s largest Oregon-based pro-hunting organization, with 10,000 members and 26 chapters statewide. Its mission is “Protecting Oregon’s wildlife, habitat, and hunting heritage.” How the TIP Program Works Callers can remain anonymous and still collect a reward from OHA if the information leads to a citation. TIP hotline:1-800-452-7888 or dial *OSP (24/7) TIP email: TIP@state.or.us (monitored weekdays 8:00 am to 5:00 pm) Use the TIP hotline on weekends and evenings. Standard rewards: Bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose: $1,000. Elk, deer, antelope: $500. Bear, cougar, wolf: $300. Habitat destruction: $300. Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags: $200. Game fish, shellfish, upland birds, wa- terfowl, furbearers: $100. Vernonia Community Annual FATHER & DAUGHTER COUNTRY BALL Dads dust off your best country duds and daughters dress up like the princesses you are and come for a fun filled, magical, memory making evening of dancing. There will be sweets for the sweeties and drinks as well as crafts tables, and more. When: Saturday, March 10, 2018 There will be 6 to 8 pm games and a Where: Grace Family Fellowship (Big Gym) raffle for prizes 957 State Avenue, Vernonia Cost: $5 Per couple Dads & Daughters For more information contact: of all ages Jon Nelson 503-602-0615 are welcome Rose Nelson 503-602-0616 Visit our Facebook page: Fatherdaughtercountryball This dance was created so that our little, or maybe not so little anymore, girls can celebrate for one night with the most important man in their lives, whether it is Dad, Grandpa, or any significant male.
