PENDLETON, Ore. — Oregon wildlife officials say five hunters are facing illegal deer killing charges after the head of a freshly killed male deer was found in a vehicle southwest of Pendleton.
An Oregon State Patrol fish and wildlife trooper found a Jeep Cherokee parked near the Umatilla River early Monday evening, with its door ajar and an empty gun case and ammunition inside. A few hours later, another vehicle arrived at the scene with five people and the deer head inside.
The trooper seized the deer head and rifle and cited four men and a woman with unlawful killing and possession of a buck deer. The man identified as the shooter also was charged with waste of a game animal.
