CORVALLIS, Ore. — Traditional Archers of Oregon (TAO) added $500 to the reward for information regarding the person or persons who illegally used a crossbow to kill two buck deer in Corvallis last month.TAO’s pledge, combined with $500 pledged from Mid-Willamette chapter of the Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) and the standard $1,000 reward, brings the total to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest or citation in the crime. Reporting parties may opt for four hunter preference points instead of cash and may remain anonymous.Both deer died from embedded arrows, in two separate incidents. One deer had an arrow lodged near its spine; the other had an arrow lodged in its neck. The acts represent a multitude of violations including using a crossbow to kill big game animals and shooting in city limits. Several members of the public contacted OSP Fish & Wildlife troopers to report the injured deer wandering in the area.Aside from illegally shooting within city limits, and without regard to legal hunting rules, use of a crossbow further frustrates traditional archers who are committed to the vertical bows of their sport, according to TAO President, Riley Savage.“As you can imagine, being traditional archers, using a crossbow to commit such heinous crimes goes against everything we hold dear,” Savage said, “The operator does not need the same skills required to use a handheld, vertical bow, like getting close and knowing when to draw and when to shoot. They are an assassin, lying in wait, at long distance, with no detectable movement visible to their prey.”This “Invisibility” gives an unfair advantage over traditional bow hunters, according to Riley.Both deer died near NW Walnut and NW Witham Hill Drive in Corvallis. Investigators believe the deer were shot around Oct. 25, 2024, and Nov. 18, 2024.“Our priority is to protect deer and elk, and their habitats, across the state,” said Mid-Willamette chapter President, Ken McCall, “Someone knows who did this, and we want to encourage that person to do the right thing and come forward.”TAO is united in traditional archery, comprised of people with a strong interest in promoting and shooting the longbow and recurve bow, according to the TAO website.“Every time any individual, group or even the Oregon Legislature tries to legitimize crossbows as a legal weapon for archery hunting, we are on it like an overcoat,” Riley said in a statement.If you know of or suspect other crimes against fish wildlife or habitat, you're asked to report to the Turn In Poachers (TIP) Line. 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone. Or email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov.

Archers up the ante to $2,000 for information on deer crossbow killings in Corvallis

CORVALLIS, Ore. — Traditional Archers of Oregon (TAO) added $500 to the reward for information regarding the person or persons who illegally used a crossbow to kill two buck deer in Corvallis last month. TAO’s pledge, combined with $500 pledged from Mid-Willamette chapter of the Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) and the standard $1,000 reward, brings […]

CORVALLIS, Ore. — Traditional Archers of Oregon (TAO) added $500 to the reward for information regarding the person or persons who illegally used a crossbow to kill two buck deer in Corvallis last month.

TAO’s pledge, combined with $500 pledged from Mid-Willamette chapter of the Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) and the standard $1,000 reward, brings the total to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest or citation in the crime. Reporting parties may opt for four hunter preference points instead of cash and may remain anonymous.

Both deer died from embedded arrows, in two separate incidents. One deer had an arrow lodged near its spine; the other had an arrow lodged in its neck. The acts represent a multitude of violations including using a crossbow to kill big game animals and shooting in city limits. Several members of the public contacted OSP Fish & Wildlife troopers to report the injured deer wandering in the area.

Aside from illegally shooting within city limits, and without regard to legal hunting rules, use of a crossbow further frustrates traditional archers who are committed to the vertical bows of their sport, according to TAO President, Riley Savage.

“As you can imagine, being traditional archers, using a crossbow to commit such heinous crimes goes against everything we hold dear,” Savage said, “The operator does not need the same skills required to use a handheld, vertical bow, like getting close and knowing when to draw and when to shoot. They are an assassin, lying in wait, at long distance, with no detectable movement visible to their prey.”

This “Invisibility” gives an unfair advantage over traditional bow hunters, according to Riley.

Both deer died near NW Walnut and NW Witham Hill Drive in Corvallis. Investigators believe the deer were shot around Oct. 25, 2024, and Nov. 18, 2024.

“Our priority is to protect deer and elk, and their habitats, across the state,” said Mid-Willamette chapter President, Ken McCall, “Someone knows who did this, and we want to encourage that person to do the right thing and come forward.”

TAO is united in traditional archery, comprised of people with a strong interest in promoting and shooting the longbow and recurve bow, according to the TAO website.

“Every time any individual, group or even the Oregon Legislature tries to legitimize crossbows as a legal weapon for archery hunting, we are on it like an overcoat,” Riley said in a statement.

If you know of or suspect other crimes against fish wildlife or habitat, you’re asked to report to the Turn In Poachers (TIP) Line. 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone. Or email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov.