The impact of wildlife crime is devastating to Oregon and its local communities. According to statistics provided by the OSP:
In 2022 alone, nearly 5,000 animals were poached in Oregon.
Only 5% of poaching crimes are identified and prosecuted.
The consequences of poaching also include lost recreation opportunities, decreased conservation revenues, increased enforcement costs, and the implementation of more stringent regulations.
Top fish and wildlife affected
Crabs
Clams
Bighorn Sheep
Deer
Black Bear
Eagle
Blue Heron
Hawk
Owl
Falcon
Osprey
Sturgeon
Pronghorn Antelope
Wolf
Elk
Duck
Steelhead
Chinook
Examples of impact
Fish
196 salmon/steelhead, 136 ground fish, 114 warm water fish, 79 trout, 59 sturgeon and 11 halibut were poached in Oregon in 2022.
Shellfish
2779 clams, 666 crabs and 249 other shellfish/invertebrates were poached in Oregon in 2022.
Mammals
153 deer, 134 elk, 21 bears, 11 antelopes, 7 furbearer, 6 cougarsand 7 wolves were poached in Oregon in 2022.
Birds
93 upland game birds and 59 migratory game birds were poached in Oregon in 2022.
153 deer, 134 elk, 21 bears, 11 antelopes, 7 furbearer, 6 cougars and 7 wolves were poached in Oregon in 2022.