BAKER CITY — Law enforcement continues to pursue the individual who illegally shot a Rocky Mountain bighorn ram near Baker City last November.

Kevin Martin, president of the Oregon Wild Sheep Foundation, announced an additional $2,000 reward from the foundation, supplementing the standard $2,000 from the Oregon Hunters Association and $500 from the Oregon Wildlife Coalition. Tipsters providing valuable information to the Turn In Poachers Line may choose to receive five hunter preference points from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in lieu of the cash reward. Anonymity is guaranteed for those providing tips, which must lead to an arrest or citation.

The illegal act of poaching carries severe penalties, including fines of up to $10,000, suspension of hunting licenses and forfeiture of firearms. In this case, the poacher not only took the bighorn’s head and horns but also left the rest of the animal to waste, potentially facing additional charges of the waste of a game mammal.

“It’s so hard to believe that someone would shoot and waste such an amazing animal,” Martin said, “The Lookout Mountain herd of bighorn sheep is an area Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wild Sheep Foundation, Oregon WSF and our partners have been focusing a lot of resources to understand what has caused the ongoing loss of animals and this criminal act just adds to that loss.”

The discovery of the headless carcass by OSP Fish and Wildlife Trooper Dakotah Keys on Nov. 30 prompted a swift response. The carcass was found on BLM land near Hibbard Creek Road, within the Lookout Mountain Wildlife Management Unit.

While California bighorn sheep remain the most abundant subspecies in Oregon, with approximately 3,700 animals across 32 herds, the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep are also a vital part of the state’s wildlife. Don Whittaker, ODFW ungulate coordinator, highlighted the broader implications of poaching, stressing its detrimental impact on conservation efforts and the public’s enjoyment of these iconic species.

“Not only are poaching acts like this considered theft of a public resource highly valued by all Oregonians, including hunters and non-hunters,” he said, “It undermines the long-term effort to restore and conserve this iconic species on Oregon’s landscape for future Oregonians yet to come.”

Martin reiterated the loss suffered by all Oregonians due to the selfish actions of poachers, emphasizing the collective responsibility to protect and preserve the state’s natural heritage.

“The lack of respect for an animal that represents the beauty, strength and wild lands of Oregon is just sad,” he said. “Add to that the loss for all of Oregonians the opportunity to see and interact with an animal, that has been stolen from all of us.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Oregon State Police Dispatch at 1-800-452-7888, *OSP (*677), or email at TIP@osp.oregon.gov.