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BANNOCK1877
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The Oregonian (Portland, Oregon)
April 19, 2006 Wednesday
Northwest edition Edition
Oregon checks possible illegal antler operation
BY: RICHARD COCKLE, The Oregonian
SUMMARY: No charges yet--- State police net more than 100 items at the home of a dealer in Grant County
Authorities in Grant County last week seized more than 100 antlers of deer, elk and pronghorn antelope that may have been illegally killed, the Oregon State Police reports.
The April 13 seizure took place at the home of an antler dealer in Canyon City. As of Monday, no charges had been filed, and the case was being reviewed by the Grant County district attorney's office.
The antlers seized by Fish and Wildlife Division state troopers included "numerous trophy-class antler sets from elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer," plus several pronghorn antlers and bear skulls, said Lt. Gregg Hastings, state police spokesman in Salem. The dealer came under scrutiny last fall when nearby residents reported that he was purchasing the antlers of animals that may have been taken unlawfully, Hastings said.
Licensed antler dealers are permitted to purchase antlers from animals taken lawfully by hunters or that were naturally shed or detached and split at the skull plate, he said. In such cases, records must be kept, and such antlers may be used only in handcrafted items, he said.
Violations of the Oregon wildlife laws are Class A misdemeanors, and conviction can bring fines reaching $6,250 and a year in jail.
Authorities worry that antlers acquired illegally might be sold for use in traditional medicines, and for trophy-class antler mounts and other displays, Hastings said. Antlers can command $5 to $7 a pound, depending on the type and species, said Sgt. Jeff Hagedorn with the state police Wildlife Division in Pendleton.
April 19, 2006 Wednesday
Northwest edition Edition
Oregon checks possible illegal antler operation
BY: RICHARD COCKLE, The Oregonian
SUMMARY: No charges yet--- State police net more than 100 items at the home of a dealer in Grant County
Authorities in Grant County last week seized more than 100 antlers of deer, elk and pronghorn antelope that may have been illegally killed, the Oregon State Police reports.
The April 13 seizure took place at the home of an antler dealer in Canyon City. As of Monday, no charges had been filed, and the case was being reviewed by the Grant County district attorney's office.
The antlers seized by Fish and Wildlife Division state troopers included "numerous trophy-class antler sets from elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer," plus several pronghorn antlers and bear skulls, said Lt. Gregg Hastings, state police spokesman in Salem. The dealer came under scrutiny last fall when nearby residents reported that he was purchasing the antlers of animals that may have been taken unlawfully, Hastings said.
Licensed antler dealers are permitted to purchase antlers from animals taken lawfully by hunters or that were naturally shed or detached and split at the skull plate, he said. In such cases, records must be kept, and such antlers may be used only in handcrafted items, he said.
Violations of the Oregon wildlife laws are Class A misdemeanors, and conviction can bring fines reaching $6,250 and a year in jail.
Authorities worry that antlers acquired illegally might be sold for use in traditional medicines, and for trophy-class antler mounts and other displays, Hastings said. Antlers can command $5 to $7 a pound, depending on the type and species, said Sgt. Jeff Hagedorn with the state police Wildlife Division in Pendleton.
