Hunters Aid in Bust of Elk Poachers

A father and son from Baker City, Oregon were recently sentenced for their roles in an 2014 opening day elk poaching case that began with a call to the Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) hotline. On October 25th, 2014, Justin Gyllenberg (33) shot and killed a spike bull elk in the Hells Canyon area, then continued shooting, downing a second and much larger 6X7 bull elk. Shortly after the elk were killed, Justin's father Brent Gyllenberg (60) joined his son and both men began field dressing the two bulls. The younger Gyllenberg placed his nonresident elk tag on the larger bull, while the senior Gyllenberg tagged the smaller bull. The Gyllenbergs were not the only ones on the hill that day. The poaching incident was witnessed by at least two elk hunters, one of whom called the CAP hotline. Both witnesses described the poaching incident in detail, stating that a third large bull was also hit by Gyllenberg, but was last seen limping away from the area. In the days that followed, Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers Randy Martinez and Rusty Anderson obtained additional details from the witnesses, then traveled to Baker City, Oregon to interview both suspects. Teaming with Oregon State Police officers, Martinez and Anderson conducted interviews with the younger Gyllenberg who ultimately admitted to shooting both elk, tagging the second animal, then transporting the animals back to Baker City. Martinez seized both elk and the Remington 7mm ultra magnum rifle used in the poaching incident. Citations were issued to both men including exceeding the bag limit, possession/transportation of an illegally taken elk and transfer of tag to another. Shortly after, the pair appeared in Adams County Court before Magistrate Judge John Meienhofer. In early January, the two men returned to the courtroom for sentencing. For his part in the poaching incident, Justin Gyllenberg was fined $600 and assessed civil penalties and processing fees totaling $1,000. Along with 12 months of probation, his hunting privileges were revoked for two years. Brent Gyllenberg pled guilty to his transfer of tag charge and was fined $300 and assessed civil penalties and processing fees totaling $1,000. Along with 12 months of probation, his hunting privileges were revoked for one year. The two elk and the rifle used in the poaching incident were forfeited. The elk meat will go to the local food bank for distribution to those in need, while the elk antlers and the rifle will likely be sold at auction with the proceeds going to the Fish and Game general fund. Martinez is grateful to the citizens who took the time to be good witnesses and make the call to the CAP hotline with their information. "Citizen involvement was the starting point for this case," Martinez noted. "Without that initial call to the CAP hotline, this investigation might never have gotten off the ground." Persons with any information about suspected poaching activity are encouraged to call the Citizens against Poaching (CAP) hotline at 1-800-632-5999, twenty-four hours a day. Callers can remain anonymous and cash rewards are often paid for information leading to the successful conclusion of a case. In addition to the CAP hotline, persons may also contact their local Fish and Game office with information regarding a suspected poaching case.