At least four individuals face charges related to the killing of four bull elk in a farmer’s field off Latham Road during early daylight hours Tuesday, Oct. 20.

According to a release from Oregon State Police, John K. Atwater, 50, of Cottage Grove was cited on four counts of Unlawful Taking of Bull Elk and two counts of borrowing an elk tag. David Pruitt, 78, of Creswell was cited for Loaning an Elk Tag and aiding in a game offense. Homer Rhodes, 74, of Cottage Grove was cited for Hunting on the Enclosed Land of Another, Loaning an Elk Tag and Aiding in a Game Offense.

Christopher Stevens, age 35, of Cottage Grove was cited for Aiding in a Game Offense.

Debbie Martindale, owner of the cattle field on which the elk were killed, said at least three properties were traversed without permission to take the elk with high-powered rifles just after daylight.

The elk ranged from a small bull to a large, mature “six by seven” bull, which would be considered a trophy bull by hunters’ standards. They are part of a herd that is reported to number close to 70 elk.

Martindale said she observed individuals carting two of the elk away on trailers. She confronted them regarding the incident, she said, and was told that two people had fired shots to take three of the elk. The largest bull was found by Martindale and husband, Bill, under cottonwood trees near where the other animals were likely taken. Debbie Martindale said the hunters probably didn’t realize they’d killed the largest elk.

Oregon State Troopers Martin and Marshall Maher responded to calls from neighbors that morning and were on hand to question the suspects. The elk were confiscated, then brought back to the Martindale’s field to be gutted.

“The landowners did an outstanding job helping us with this,” Martin Maher said. “It made our job a lot easier.”

The elk were transported to the Eugene Mission for salvage. The Mission has a complete meat processing facility to deal with the animals.

Maher said he believed the crime was one of pure opportunity.

“They saw that the elk were there, and there was someone willing to go the extra mile to get them,” he said. “It’s disheartening because the animals were taken, but also because this field is so close to residences. I’m glad no one was injured.”

The Martindale’s field sits adjacent to Latham School.

Elk are hunted in the area surrounding the Martindale’s farm, though the farm is too small to obtain a tag to hunt them there. The property borders an area where the Cascade general rifle season for bull elk is in effect; however, the elk were taken in an area where a special “antlerless only” elk season is currently happening.

Maher said he has never before witnessed an illegal kill involving four bulls in his 15-year career, but that the area attracts hunting attention due to the size and visibility of the herd.

The charges filed against the four suspects are all class A misdemeanors, which are punishable by fines of up to $6200 and one year in prison for each offense. Restitution of $1500 per animal to the State of Oregon could also be assessed.

More charges could be filed relating to trespass issues, Maher said.

For the complete article see the 10-28-2009 issue.