Rifle, antlers, meat confiscated after pair arrested in poaching of trophy bull elk

Two Douglas County men are facing criminal charges in the alleged poaching of a trophy-class bull elk in the Glendale area.

Oregon State Police game officers from Roseburg began an investigation from information obtained from an area resident into the potential unlawful take of the bull on Aug. 30. The two suspects were identified, interviewed and charged with the crimes on Sept. 6.

The main suspect, Jeremy Pritchard, 39, of Dillard confessed to shooting the bull elk with a rifle on Aug. 30 during the general archery season in the Powers Hunt Unit. Additionally, the suspect used his general archery season Tioga Hunt Unit archery tag to tag the bull a day later after taking it with his rifle. Pritchard was cited and released for Hunting a Game Mammal Prohibited Method, Hunting Game Mammal Prohibited Area, Criminal Trespass while in Possession of a Firearm, Fail to Immediately Validate a Big Game Tag, and Unlawful Possession of a Game Mammal.

The suspect’s accomplice, Dean Hickok, 62, of Glendale confessed to knowingly aiding the suspect in the processing and transporting of the illegally taken trophy bull elk. He was cited and released on a charge of Aiding in a Game Violation.

The elk antlers, game meat and rifle were seized as evidence.

The public is asked to contact Oregon State Police fish and wildlife troopers should you need assistance or should you observe any unlawful activity. The Oregon State Police “TIP” line is monitored 24 hours a day with reported fish and wildlife violation information forwarded directly to troopers via the Oregon State Police Dispatch Centers.

Anyone with information regarding a violation is urged to contact the Turn in Poachers (TIP) hotline at 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP (mobile). TIP E-Mail: [email protected]