Robotic Deer Too Tempting a Target for Oregon Poachers

An early start to the mule deer hunting season in the wrong state could prove costly to several Oregonians too impatient to wait for opening day or to learn some basic geography. Five individuals now face court appearances and potentially heavy fines for their respective roles in two unrelated poaching incidents. Acting on tips from the public, Fish and Game conservation officer Craig Mickelson organized a focused enforcement effort - code name: Operation Border Jumper - in the Owyhee desert during the last weekend of September. Using "Bucky," the stuffed, robotic deer, Mickelson and his team staked out the Succor Creek area in remote Owyhee County, just east of the Oregon-Idaho border and waited. But not for long. In the early morning hours of September 28, a group of four Oregon "hunters" rolled up the road but failed to see the decoy deer standing just a few feet away. Later that morning, the group came back down the road and spotted the decoy. One of the parties exited the truck, firing six shots at the decoy deer. When the shooting stopped, the group was interviewed and 13 citations were issued, including three citations related to an illegal 4 x 4 mule deer buck poached that morning just shortly after the group missed seeing the decoy. Martine Mills, 47, of Cove, Ore., was cited for attempting to take a deer during closed season, attempting to take simulated wildlife, possession-transportation of a closed season deer, hunting without a valid Idaho hunting license and hunting without a valid Idaho deer tag. He also was issued a warning for an open container of alcohol. Thomas Rager, 66 of Cove, Ore., was cited for possession-transportation of a closed season deer and hunting without a valid Idaho hunting license. Justin Cernazanu, 29, of Cove, Ore., was cited for possession-transportation of a closed season deer. Eugene Mills, 69, of Nyssa, Ore., was cited for hunting without a valid hunting license. The 4 x 4 mule deer buck and two hunting rifles were seized in the case. Before daylight the following morning, officers moved five miles south and set up the decoy deer along Idaho's Palmer Creek. Around mid-morning, they watched as James Hayhurst, 65, of Jordan Valley, Ore., encouraged his 8-year-old grandson to shoot at the decoy deer. While the youngster was not charged, Hayhurst was cited for hunting without a valid Idaho hunting license, hunting without a valid Idaho deer tag, attempting to take simulated wildlife and attempting to take a deer during closed season. The rifle used in the case was seized as evidence. All five suspects will appear in court in Murphy on Monday, October 28. Mickelson attributes Operation Border Jumper's success in large part to the public's willingness to report suspicious behavior. "We had reports last year that one or more Oregon groups were slipping into Idaho prior to the mule deer season opener and poaching deer," Mickelson said. "We held onto that information and used it this year to bring these individuals to justice." Anyone with information about suspected poaching activity is encouraged to call the Citizens against Poaching (CAP) hotline 24 hours a day at 1-800-632-5999. Callers may remain anonymous and cash rewards are often paid for information leading to the successful conclusion of a case.