Snowy Owl Shot

[Washington Hunter]

Federal officials investigate owl death

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEWPORT, Ore. — There was no mistaking the bird that Tim Rodenkirk spotted that day in late November while walking his dogs on the North Spit at Coos Bay: Big, white and majestic, it could be nothing but a snowy owl.

“It’s just the most striking bird you can imagine,” Rodenkirk said later.

But less than two weeks later, when Rodenkirk spotted the bird again, it was dead — shot through the wing, a federal crime.

Unlike other owls, snowy white owls hunt in daylight, making them easy to spot.

When Rodenkirk — through his spotting scope — saw the owl dead on the beach, his heart fell.

“I realized it was the owl,” said Rodenkirk, who has been birding since 1997. “I couldn’t believe it.”

Rodenkirk took the bird to the Free Flight and Mammal Rehabilitation Center in Bandon, where a necropsy revealed the bird had been shot through the wing. The bird was found in an area where hunters had been shooting ducks, but Rodenkirk, a hunter himself, said the hunters he knows would not do something like that.

“I don’t think anybody could accidentally shoot a snowy owl,” Rodenkirk said. “I think whoever did it was just mean. Someone saw this big white bird. It’s an easy target.”

The person who shot the bird could face up to a $15,000 fine and six months in jail, said Roy Lowe, project leader for the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Complex. The bird is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which makes it illegal to hunt, capture or other-wise harm migratory birds.

The act initially was drafted in 1918, with penalties strengthened in the 1990s. Federal enforcement officers are investigating the shooting, Lowe said.

Elsewhere on the Oregon Coast, snowy owls have been spotted in relative abundance. Reports are circulating of two snowy owls at the south jetty in Newport, several at the south jetty on the Columbia River, and one in the area of the Portland International Airport.

No one is certain what brings the arctic bird south, but every few years when they do visit, they are typically found on coastal dunes, high desert and airport margins.

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[mtmiller]

That's too bad there are clowns like that out there. I hope they catch the dipshit and fine the hell out of him.

I saw this one a few weeks ago while returning from my SD hunt. It was pretty close to nemonts stomping grounds.

 

[Oak]

Great pic, Miller. You see many gyrfalcons up there in the winter?

 

[Moosie]

I'm sorry about the owl and they are pretty... but 15k for a fine ? Hell it's only a Couple k to poach an elk......

Does anyone know if it's only 15k if you get caught with a dead wolf ?

 

[Oak]

Hey Oscar, how about $1.2 million and 36 years in prison? Too steep?

12/12/2005
Division of Wildlife

DOW Officers Work Closely with Other Wildlife Agencies to Put Chronic Poacher Behind Bars

Law enforcement officers from the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Department and the Kentucky Game and Fish Department worked together to charge Steven Herrmann, 41, formerly of Laporte, Colorado and currently from Kentucky with a long list of wildlife violations and other crimes. Herrmann will face a preliminary hearing for the charges pending in Colorado in the Larimer County Court on Jan. 5.

Herrmann, who is currently in custody at the Larimer County Detention Center, has been charged by the Larimer County District Attorney’s Office with 12 felony counts of willful destruction of wildlife (killing animals and removing only the trophy parts) and could face an additional 42 misdemeanor counts of wildlife related charges in Colorado. Herrmann is also being charged with auto theft, burglary and several other charges in jurisdictions in and outside of Colorado.

“It is not uncommon with many of these wildlife cases that the perpetrators are also involved in other criminal acts and in other geographic areas,” said Rob Firth, Chief of Law Enforcement for the DOW. “This case is a great example of a number of agencies working together to stop someone who is a detriment to both wildlife and society because of his blatant lack of respect for the law.”

Herrmann moved to Colorado from Kentucky in the late 1990’s and quickly began breaking laws in Colorado. His first run in with DOW law enforcement officers came after he trespassed with a group of his friends from Kentucky during an elk hunt near the Wyoming border, in which five illegal elk were killed. He did not pay the fine for the trespassing violation, which brought further attention to his wildlife violations in both Colorado and Kentucky. During the course of the investigation, DOW officers found that Herrmann had a long history of serious wildlife violations in both states. Evidence showed that he repeatedly poached deer in Colorado. DOW officers believe that he also poached numerous elk in Colorado and Wyoming, as well as antelope and an eagle.

Several sets of antlers, feathers and other mounts, along with much of the equipment Herrmann used while poaching has been confiscated.

Putting a case together against Herrmann took some heavy lifting on the part of the DOW officers and the other agencies that were involved. Searches were conducted on several residences in Colorado and Kentucky for evidence. Herrmann also became transient as authorities closed in on him. He was arrested in Kentucky by the state’s fish and game officers while he was living in a makeshift camp on the bank of a local creek. He was later extradited back to Colorado on a $100,000 bond.

Herrmann faces up to $1.2 million in fines and up to 36 years in state prison for his poaching exploits in Colorado.

 

[mtmiller]

Great pic, Miller. You see many gyrfalcons up there in the winter?

I have only seen one and it was during an annual Christmas bird survey.

A friend of mine, who also flies grouse surveys for me, saw one southeast of here last year. He pulled out a trap and quickly caught it and banded it. He also got a couple pictures I can probably post if you would like.

 

[Moosie]

with 12 felony counts of willful destruction of wildlife (killing animals and removing only the trophy parts) and could face an additional 42

Sounds like with "56" Felony counts he should get hit hard....(er) thats still only 21k Plus change per charge ? Except they said Eagle was part of it so I'm guessing it's more like 50k for the Eagle and 2k for the elk he poached...

That is a Better example, but the norm isn't so ?

 

[Oak]

Miller, I'd like to see the pics.

Oscar, you needed to read one more word. That's 42 misdemeanor counts on top of the 12 felonies. I'd say that most folks don't get caught with that many violations, that's the only reason you don't see fines that high (in CO anyway).

 

[mtmiller]

Miller, I'd like to see the pics.

I am in AZ right now, but I will scan them when I get back to the office.

 

[cjcj]

Looks just like the one Jim Carry killed in Dumb and Dumber?[ flying champagne cork] that is one fine looking owl

 

[mtmiller]

Actually I liked the earlier line better..."Nice set of hooters you got there".

 

[Oak]

I have only seen one and it was during an annual Christmas bird survey.

A friend of mine, who also flies grouse surveys for me, saw one southeast of here last year. He pulled out a trap and quickly caught it and banded it. He also got a couple pictures I can probably post if you would like.

Are you back from AZ yet?

 

[Dinkshooter]

I think you can legally kill a Snowy Owl in Alaska???????????????? It is some kind of owl, can't remember.

 

[Dinkshooter]

Yes just looked it up. No closed season and no bag limit for residents. You just can't sell them.

And that guy is gonna get nailed for $15,000. He should move north.