(RELEASE) –
In March 2017, the Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division received information a local man had taken two mule deer bucks without a valid controlled hunt tag for the Southern Oregon unit where the deer were shot and harvested.
Based on the verifiable information OSP was provided, Troopers from the Springfield Patrol Office applied for and obtained a search warrant to search the man’s residence in Veneta for additional evidence of the crimes. Troopers executed that warrant on March 24, 2017, seizing various deer parts, a scoped rifle, and ammunition.
The investigation revealed Jason Brian Barker of Veneta, age 45, had legally obtained a controlled hunt buck tag for the Fort Rock Unit in Southern Oregon. However, Barker personally took two mule deer bucks in the Interstate Unit, exceeding his personal bag limit, as well as exceeding his permissible hunt area. The investigation confirmed Barker utilized an acquaintance’s tag on the second deer, and reported on both tags to the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife that the harvests had occurred in the Fort Rock Unit.
On August 18, 2017, Barker appeared in Lane County Circuit Court and plead guilty to two counts of Unlawful Taking of a Mule Deer Buck (No Valid Tag for Unit) and one count of Unlawful Borrowing of Big Game Tag.
Barker was sentenced to three years court probation, a 3-year suspension of his Oregon hunting privileges, $2000 in restitution to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for the unlawful takings, 5 days of jail to be served on the road crew, forfeiture of the remaining deer parts, as well as the involved .300 Ultra Magnum scoped rifle, and a special condition that he not participate in any hunting excursions during the period of his probation.