These laws include license, tag, and permit requirements; orderly and equitable use of wildlife (season and bag limits); harvest methods; protected species; threatened and endangered species; and the illegal commercialization of wildlife.
We enforce laws governing the commercial fishing industry. Some elements of that enforcement 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.
We enforce the state boating laws. We are equipped with all types of boats and enforce laws relating to boat licenses and registration; safety equipment; operational rules; and charter vessels, guides, and outfitters on waters throughout the state.
We are charged with the protection of wildlife and its habitat. Environmental crime investigation, streambed protection, littering or dumping enforcement, and water pollution investigation are important parts of the effort. Such investigations and resulting prosecutions are often done with partner agencies such as the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality or the Oregon Department of State Lands.
Our Fish and Wildlife officers are fully-trained state troopers and may enforce traffic, criminal, and general laws. We work predominantly in rural areas, and routinely enforce motor vehicle laws and take action on hazardous violations; detecting and apprehending intoxicated or reckless drivers; and enforcing safety, equipment, and licensing laws. Many communities rely on their trooper for all-around law enforcement. Many Fish and Wildlife cases involve many of the criminal laws, such as firearms and trespass crimes. Other crimes routinely enforced are crimes against persons, theft, burglary, fugitives, and crimes associated with illegal drugs (possession, manufacture, and transport).
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is our primary partner.
ODFW sets fish and wildlife resource management goals. Then ODFW, with OSP involvement, develops regulations to achieve the management goals and objectives.
OSP assures compliance with the regulations.
Cooperative enforcement planning is a tool to help ODFW and OSP work together to facilitate enforcement of resource management goals.
Local troopers meet yearly with local biologists to set enforcement priorities by species and to discuss concerns regarding social issues, seasons, areas, and local issues.
Troopers then develop tactical plans to address priority issues and gain desired voluntary compliance levels to protect resources and meet management goals.
The results of each tactical plan are quantified and discussed with the biologists. The compliance level obtained through the tactical plan is compared to the compliance level considered necessary to meet management goals.
If necessary, tactical plans are adjusted to make the best use of limited resources in manpower and equipment to achieve the goals.
Patrol Equipment
We use a number of different types of patrol equipment to accomplish our mission, including 4 x 4 pickups, jet boats, propeller driven boats (hard hull and RHI), drift boats, whitewater rafts, Cata-rafts, aircraft, horses, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, and mountain bikes.
Division troopers also have different types of uniforms, such as boat, bike, field, patrol, and water; and we employ a variety of technological equipment, such as night vision goggles, radar spotting scopes, GPS units, and digital cameras and camcorders.
Specialized Training
In addition to the training received in recruit school, Fish and Wildlife officers may receive specialized training in boat operations; horse packing; environmental crime investigation; fill and removal investigation; federal wildlife laws; game salvage equipment operation; meat handling and inspection; 4 x 4 patrol unit operation; wildlife and fish identification; commercial fishing vessels and gear identification; restaurant and dealer inspection; outdoor survival; and map, compass, and GPS use.