Two Blodgett Men Arrested for Poaching

Two Blodgett-area men, Mitchell Paul Prindel, 23 and his brother, Tony McLain Prindel, 24, were arrested February 3 on charges related to two November, 2011 elk poaching incidents in Lincoln County.

Mitchell Prindel

Tony Prindel

Oregon State Police Sergeant Todd Thompson said the first case started November 3, 2011 after a hunter found the remains of a 5-point bull elk on Starker Forest Stutz Tree Farm in the Burnt Woods area. The initial investigation indicated the bull elk was killed the previous evening. Two days later a dead cow elk was found in the same area, with a large portion left to waste. OSP Fish & Wildlife Division troopers determined both poaching incidents were related. Mitchell Prindel was charged with two counts of taking an elk out of season and wasting a game mammal, criminal trespass and other charges. Tony Prindel was charged with four counts of aiding in a wildlife offense, tampering with evidence, trespass and other charges. The two men are in the Lincoln County Jail. (Photos: Oregon State Police)

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Toledo Police Begins Scouting Program

The Toledo Police Department is accepting applications for its Explorer Program. According to a press release, “This is a unique opportunity for young adults between the ages of 14 and 21 to learn the fascinating field of law enforcement. The Explorer Program will provide career orientation experiences, leadership opportunities, and community service activities.” The primary goals of the Explorer Program is to help young adults choose a career path within law enforcement and to challenge them to become responsible citizens of their communities and the nation, it said. To apply, pick up an application form at the Toledo Police Department (250 W. Business 20) or attend an informational meeting at the Toledo Police Department on January 11 at 6:00 p.m. For more information please contact Officer Michael Pace at 541-336-5555.

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Reward Increased in Elk Poaching Case, New Case Started

Elk found November 3. Photo: OSP

A reward in a three-week old Lincoln County poaching case has been increased, and Oregon State Police (OSP) has opened a second case. OSP’s Fish and Wildlife Division wants the publics help to find suspects in the illegal waste of more than 400 pounds of elk meat near Burnt Woods. Trooper Heather Van Meter said the remains of seven elk carcasses were found off Burnt Woods Forest Road newar its junction with Burnt Woods Ridge Road the morning of November 22. Van Meter said the elk were apparently taken during the first rifle coast bull elk season and dumped sometime last weekend.

Meanwhile, a case opened November 3 is now worth $3,000 in reward money. $500 was originally offered by the Oregon Hunter’s Association. Now the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust and the Human Society of the United States have added another $2,500. According to Senior OSP Trooper Ryan Kehr, a hunter found the remains of a 5-point bull elk on the Starker Forest Stutz Tree Farm in the Burnt Woods area near Shotpouch Road November 3. Kehr said that elk was shot and left to waste. The meat had spoiled and the animal was not salvageable. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Turn-In-Poacher TIP line at 800-452-7888, or Senior Trooper Kehr at (541) 270-0097.

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Hwy 20 Project May Stretch Into 2014

Joe Squire, Project Manager for the Pioneer Mountain-Eddyville project on U.S. 20 confirms it will take two more construction seasons to finish the project that began in 2005. Squire gave an update to the Toledo City Council Wednesday night, including a slide show providing a ‘virtual road trip’ along the uncompleted 5.5 mile stretch. Squire said “I know for sure it will take two construction seasons to finish the work. The obvious question is ‘when’s the first construction season?’” Squire said everyone is working hard to make sure the next construction season is 2012, but he couldn’t guarantee the work would not take until 2014. Meetings continue among the contractor, ODOT engineers and consultants, as they work to find solutions for shifting ground along the project route. He said “ODOT remains very committed to get this thing done. It will save 10-15 minutes of driving time and open up (Lincoln County) to large commercial trucks. He estimated the new road will save G-P Toledo “$50 to $100 per truckload,” making the mill much more competitive.

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Missing Hunter Found Sunday

A Philomath hunter, Donald Lee Hamilton, 52, was found early Sunday morning after being reported missing in the Harlan-Burnt Woods area. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office was contacted about 7:30 Saturday night, after Hamilton had been gone from his hunting camp by ATV about six hours earlier. Family and friends had searched for Hamilton without success. Deputy Dave Shanks came in to assist in the search. Hamilton was found just before 2:00 a.m. Sunday, cold and sore, and was given minor medical treatment.

Hamilton said he had wrecked his ATV, rolled off the road and was pinned under the ATV for some time. He eventually freed himself, but was unable to get help on his own. Deputy Bruce McGuire, Search and Rescue Coordinator, said Hamilton’s family played a huge role in his being located, by assisting searchers in areas and locations they had scouted prior to this incident. If not for their help to narrow the search area, Hamilton would not have been located as quickly, McGuire said.

Sheriff’s officials remind hunters they should always hunt with a partner, and let someone know where you plan to go. Having a radio for communication with others is a good precaution, as cell phone reception can be unreliable in remote and mountainous areas.

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