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We enforce and protect Oregon’s wildlife and natural resources. We provide enforcement protection for big game animals, furbearers, waterfowl, upland game birds, and non-game wildlife. Throughout the year, members monitor areas where illegal hunting and angling take place. Members utilize powered and non-powered boats, 4 x 4 vehicles, aircraft, snowmobiles, horses, and all-terrain vehicles to accomplish their objective of conserving our wildlife and natural resources. The advent of the Oregon Plan has given new responsibilities to fish and wildlife officers. Members work in conjunction with other natural resource agencies to ensure enforcement and compliance with laws, which conserve and enhance Oregon’s environment.
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We enforce laws governing the commercial fishing industry. Some examples include laws relating to correct licenses and permits, fishing vessel and gear restrictions, inspection of fish processing facilities, monitoring harvest quotas and trip limits, enforcing seasons and fishing areas, shellfish sanitation, marine mammal protection, and conducting deterrent patrols.
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We enforce and protect Oregon’s sport and commercial fishery regulations and marine resources. We provide industry regulation and assistance to all commercial fisheries activities, charter vessels, guides, and outfitters, as well as coordinates the formation of policies and enforces laws and regulations affecting sport fisheries. Patrolling the state's waters for Fish and Wildlife boating enforcement is another division function. Rigid Hull Inflatable (RHI), large jet sleds, and other watercraft are used to patrol and investigate violations of sport and commercial fishing laws. Sport angling and commercial fishing are multi-million dollar industries in Oregon. Ensuring compliance of fishing laws creates a sustained fishing and economic base.

The Aircraft Program provides aerial support to Fish and Wildlife troopers and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife staff for wildlife management.  Support is also provided to the Governor’s office, criminal investigations, other divisions within the State Police (Criminal Division, Patrol Services Division, Forensics Division, Special Weapons, and Tactic SWAT), Oregon Emergency Management, and other public safety and natural resource agencies.  Local, state, and federal agencies benefit from the Division's Aircraft Program’s support.  
 
The Fish and Wildlife Division makes extensive use of their four fixed-wing aircraft in the management of fish and wildlife resources, as well as enforcement.  The aircraft have been particularly effective in:

  • Wildlife management
  • Patrolling our rivers, lakes, and ocean for illegal fishing
  • Locating persons illegally hunting at night
  • Identifying and patrolling high-activity and unlawful hunting/angling in remote areas
  • Rapid deployment of troopers to locations throughout Oregon
  • Assisting other state and federal law enforcement agencies
  • Natural resource/watershed protection
  • Locating lost/injured recreationalists
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In 2018 we began our partnership with the Oregon Wildlife Foundation to launch a first of its kind in Oregon wildlife detection K-9 pilot program. Wildlif​e detection K-9 teams are trained to do three specific tasks: area searches, human tracking, and wildlife detection. They also play a significant public relations role; helping get the message out regarding poaching and related wildlife crimes and assisting with outreach to schools, hunting groups, conservation groups, and the general public via social media. K-9 Buck, Oregon’s first Fish and Wildlife Conservation K-9, has been deployed across the state to assist with fish and wildlife enforcement since 2019. K-9 Scout joined the team in 2023. ​Click here to see K9 photos.​

​We have special investigators primarily responsible for conducting in-depth and complex investigations of individuals or groups with specific emphasis on those violators that are flagrant or illegally commercializing our state's fish and wildlife resources. 

Established in 1991, the program expanded to involve more wildlife species and genders. The "animal" decoys include turkey, mule deer, black-tail deer, white-tail deer, Roosevelt Elk, and Rocky Mountain Elk. 

Our primary goal is for wildlife troopers and violators to be in the same place at the same time, giving the ability to catch a violator, without the loss of wildlife. 

Example of charges we typically see: 

 

  • Aiding in a Wildlife Violation
  • Hunt with Artificial Light
  • Hunt from Roadway or Motor Vehicle
  • Fail to Validate
  • Hunting on Enclosed Lands of Another
  • Hunting Prohibited Area/Hours
  • No License/Tag
  • Taking Deer in a Closed Season

 

 
​Contact

​​​​​Fish & Wildlife Division
3565 Trelstad Avenue SE
Salem, OR 97317
Phone: 503-378-3720
OSP.FWD@osp.oregon.gov​

Report a Wildlife or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity 
Dial 1-800-452-7888 or
*OSP or *677 from a mobile phone

Or email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov​
Hours
8:00AM - 5:00PM, Monday - Friday