Page 12 - 2020 Jan/Feb Outdoor Oklahoma

Game Warden’s Journal

ACCOUNTS FROM THE FIELD BY THE PUBLIC
SERVANTS WHO ENFORCE THE FISH AND
WILDLIFE LAWS OF OKLAHOMA

found the bird was still warm, and blood was still trickling out. A
quick search produced evidence of a shotgun blast near the bird.
Harrison checked a game camera that caught a person litter-
ing last year in the same spot. It produced pictures of a suspect
vehicle. Harrison was able to match vehicle description and
tire tracks at the scene to the suspect vehicle. After locating the
vehicle, the occupants were cited for illegally taking a protected
nongame bird, and a shotgun was seized as evidence.

Game Warden David Clay
(Nowata County) reported
that several anonymous tips
from concerned citizens
resulted in discovery of mul-
tiple deer being shot, heads
Game Wardens John Grellner (based in Canadian County), removed, and bodies left to
Blake Pearson (Kingfisher County), and Phillip Cottrill (Major waste. The lengthy investi-
County) worked several nights this winter to catch a suspected gation in northeastern Okla-
serial poacher. homa led to suspects with prior felony convictions. Using the
Area Game Wardens received and investigated reports of Department’s new Go Outdoors Oklahoma Licensing System,
multiple deer with heads removed west of Hennessy along Turkey Clay discovered that one suspect had e-checked three deer in
Creek. A break finally came when Grellner observed a vehicle the previous two seasons as taken with a gun license. A search
driving erratically at high speed across wheat fields chasing a warrant was served on the suspect’s residence.
coyote. Grellner followed the vehicle, but muddy roads inter- Game Wardens and local law officers uncovered multiple
fered. The suspect continued to an oil lease road. Pearson and illegal deer, wildlife, firearms, and drugs. Two suspects were
Grellner apprehended the suspect leaving the lease road. arrested and jailed. Charges filed included illegal possession
Five deer heads were seized, along with syringes, metham- of wildlife (multiple counts), possession of firearms after
phetamine, a rifle and a pistol. Multiple charges were filed, previous felony convictions, and possession of controlled
and the suspect was jailed. and dangerous substance.
Many thanks to all the citizens who took the time to report Clay gave thanks to others assisting with the investigation:
these crimes. Game Wardens need your eyes and ears! Nowata County Sheriff’s Office, Nowata Police Depart-
ment, Game Wardens Capt. Jeff Brown (Nowata County), Lt.
Joe Alexander (Washington County), Austin Jackson (Craig
On Nov. 22, Game County), Riley Willman (Delaware County).
Warden Cannon
Harrison (McIntosh
County) received a On Thanksgiving morning or the night before, a cow elk
call from a Wildlife was shot at Camp Gruber. The rifle bullet struck the animal’s
Department biol- rear near the spine. The elk was found, initially alive but
ogist who found paralyzed, just north of Little Green Leaf Lake at the first
a dead great blue Camp Gruber gate on the east side of the road.
heron in a ditch on Anyone with information about this crime can remain
a Wildlife Man- anonymous and is asked to contact Game Warden Josey
agement Unit near Branch (Muskogee County) at (918) 625-4873. Information
Checotah. Harrison leading to an arrest can result in a cash reward.

10 Off the Beaten Path

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