Legislation Cracking Down On Poaching Receives Hearing In Oregon House

A bipartisan proposal to crackdown on illegal poaching in Oregon received its first public hearing Thursday in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.  HB 3158, drafted by House Republican Leader Mike McLane (R-Powell Butte), would provide free hunting tags to Oregonians who report information that leads to the successful prosecution of poaching activities.

Under the legislation, the free tag would be good for the year immediately following the conviction of a poacher.  The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife would run the program.

“Oregon has a significant problem when it comes to illegal poaching activity,” said Representative McLane. “These crimes place tremendous strains on our law enforcement agencies given the time, effort and cost associated with their prosecution. HB 3158 would provide an innovative approach to solving this longstanding problem by providing an incentive for our law-abiding citizens to report potentially unlawful activity when they see it.”

In addition to Representative McLane, HB 3158 is sponsored by Representatives Sal Esquivel, David Brock Smith and Sherrie Sprenger, as well as Democrat Brad Witt.

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