Wildlife Criminal Defense in Oregon: Top Charges Across Different Counties

While the hunting and fishing seasons are far from over, our firm has received numerous calls regarding wildlife offenses throughout the State of Oregon. Learn more about some of the wildlife crimes being investigated in Oregon below.

Marion County (Salem, Stayton, Woodburn)

State Troopers in Marion County are primarily enforcing the correct boundaries for different hunting areas, including wildlife preserves. Additionally, because the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is headquartered in Marion County, any improper tag or license purchasing, like purchasing a resident license as a non-resident, is also charged in Marion County.

Tip: Be sure to check your map regularly during your hunt to avoid trespassing on private land. Also, ensure you have the correct tag for your area before you go hunting.

Polk County (Dallas, Monmouth, Grand Ronde)

State Troopers are enforcing hunting laws with automatic deer decoys in the public land areas of Polk County. They are enforcing the appropriate shooting hours, shooting from the road, and the use of an artificial light (like your vehicle headlights).

Tip: Double-check your hunting hours for your area using the “weather” app on your phone. If you see a deer (or a decoy) after shooting hours, move on.

Yamhill County (McMinnville, Sheridan)

Just like in Polk County, the Oregon State Police are also enforcing hunting laws with automated deer decoys in Yamhill County. They are enforcing the appropriate shooting hours, shooting from the road, and the use of an artificial light (like your vehicle headlights).

Tip: Not only should you check your hunting hours, but if you see a deer after hours, do not point your rifle at the deer. Pointing your rifle at the decoy, even if you don’t pull the trigger, can result in a citation for a wildlife violation.

Clackamas County (Oregon City, Mollala)

Clackamas County had a widely reported wildlife enforcement sting in November 2024. They had spotters with cameras and spotting scopes in some hunting areas who identified multiple people using thermal devices, which are illegal for any hunting in Oregon.

Tip: Double-check the equipment requirements for hunting, and if you purchased a thermal device, do not use it in Oregon.

Linn County (Albany, Lebanon, Sweet Home)

Linn County is following suit from Clackamas County and has spotters for thermal devices throughout the county. Hunters need to remember that thermal devices are not allowed for any hunting purpose in Oregon.

Tip: Read the entirety of the 2025 Oregon Big Game Hunting Regulations to make sure your equipment, including your rifling, is allowed for the game you are hunting.

Lincoln County (Newport, Lincoln City)

Lincoln County offers fantastic fishing options, both in the ocean and on the coastal rivers, including the Salmon, Siletz, Yaquina, and the headwaters of the Alsea. Wildlife enforcement officers regularly inspect fishermen’s catches at ports and docks and check fishing holes on rivers. They will enforce gear restrictions and confirm that the correct number and species of fish are being kept.

Tip: Check your fishing gear restrictions and carefully confirm that the species of fish you are keeping match the description. For example, the entire jawline of a salmon is black, which helps confirm whether it is a Chinook or King salmon versus a Coho.

Tillamook County (Tillamook, Pacific City)

Tillamook County has a lot of private land interspersed with public land. This can result in hunters trespassing onto private land while hunting, even if they are following an elk that they shot. Additionally, troopers continue to enforce fishing and shellfish regulations in the Nehalem, Nestucca, Trask, and other coastal rivers.

Tip: Do not use private land unless you have the express permission of the landowner. To keep you safe, obtain written permission from the owner, either as a signed permission note or via text message or email.

Clatsop County (Astoria)

Clatsop County features the Saddle Mountain hunting area, which has additional restrictions for elk hunting (3-point or greater), and is a popular destination for hunting in Oregon. It is also a favorite place for Oregon State Troopers to enforce all wildlife laws. Clatsop County troopers have a special decoy with eye-guards and a long single spike with no upper fork. This decoy “tags” multiple hunters every year.

Tip: Hunters in Clatsop County need to check their hunting hours, check their location for public vs. private land, and confirm that a buck elk has three points before taking a shot.

Columbia County (St. Helens)

Columbia County has an abundant elk population and sits along the Columbia River. Wildlife enforcement will check fishing limits on the river and will check elk taken within Columbia County. Columbia County troopers are also known to set up elk decoys on the Weyerhauser properties.

Tip: Use the OnX app to confirm you are on public land and follow the requirements of Weyerhauser use permits, including the lawful entry and exit hours.

Benton County (Corvallis)

Benton County has public land with easy road access—perfect for setting up deer and elk decoys near the roads. The wildlife is also abundant, and we have seen cougar-related offenses in Benton County before.

Tip: Double-check your hunting hours for your area using the “weather” app on your phone. If you see a deer (or a decoy) after shooting hours, move on.

Baker County, Union County, Wallowa County (Baker City, La Grande, Enterprise)

Northeastern Oregon is a favorite spot for controlled elk hunts in the Blue Mountains. Accordingly, troopers in these areas will set up decoys along main thoroughfares to catch hunters as they finish their hunting trips.

Hood River County, Gilliam County (Hood River, The Dalles)

The Columbia River Gorge and its surrounding areas are excellent spots for both fishing and big game hunting. Fishing on the Columbia, especially for sturgeon, is heavily regulated, so it is crucial to check the ever-changing regulations. For hunting, the controlled deer and elk hunts mean that there may be elk and deer decoys placed by the State Troopers.

Tip: Read the entirety of the 2025 Oregon Big Game Hunting Regulations to make sure your equipment, including your rifling, is allowed for the game you are hunting.

Lane County (Eugene, Springfield, Veneta)

There is a split in Lane County between the Siuslaw and Indigo hunting zones for lawful 2025 Any Legal Weapon seasons. The Siuslaw hunting area primarily falls within Lane County, with a portion of the Indigo area located on the other side of Interstate 5 within Lane County. There are opportunities for elk and deer alike throughout the central Willamette Valley.

Tip: Double-check your season dates and use the OnX app to avoid a hunting while trespassing citation.

For more information on wildlife criminal defense in Oregon. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let’s talk about your options.

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