Arrest made in poaching case

He was taken into custody without incident, according to Oregon State Police Senior Trooper Craig Gunderson of The Dalles Area Command.

A warrant has also been issued for Jodee Ewing, 31, who is believed to be Matney’s girlfriend, in connection with the case. She is awaiting trial on a prior arrest for methamphetamine possession.

Gunderson, who works in OSP’s Fish and Wildlife Division, asks anyone with information about her whereabouts to call 541-296-9646.

The investigation into Matney’s activities began, said Gunderson, when OSP received a report Nov. 6 of a deer carcass hanging in the backyard of a residence at 1025 Sevenmile Road.

“Poaching takes place year-around so it is something that we are always getting calls about,” he said.

Gunderson received permission to access a neighboring property, where he was able to see the fresh carcass.

Matney’s mother, the landowner of the property where the carcass was hanging in an unfinished addition to the back of the house, reportedly allowed Gunderson to access the site.

While in her yard, Gunderson said that he looked into the window of a detached shop and observed another deer carcass hanging inside.

That building was locked and he was told by the mother that only her son had the key and could grant him access.

Gunderson said Matney was known to law enforcement after 19 arrests.

The suspect’s hunting privileges had been permanently revoked in 2007 following a poaching conviction.

When Matney was unable to be located, Gunderson sought and received a warrant Nov. 7 to search the shop, a travel trailer and car identified as belonging to the suspect.

He enlisted the help of OSP Senior Troopers Swede Pearson and Thad Routson to execute the warrant.

In addition to carcasses, antlers or mounted remains of 10 buck deer and antelope, Gunderson said a big horn sheep skull was found — and it was missing the special marking that denoted it had been taken in a legal hunt.

There are about 3,500 big horn sheep statewide and only 100 hunters each year across the state are given a permit to hunt the animal, which is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

The tags are so valued among hunters that as much as $155,000 has been paid for one at an auction that funds the state’s sheep restoration program.

“Whether Mr. Matney actually took it or someone else did, or the skull was found, is a moot point because, without the proper documentation, it is assumed that he was the one who took it,” said Gunderson.

He said the date that many of the animals were killed, going back to 2010, was written on its horns or skull with a permanent marker.

“Every sport has its rules to keep things fair,” said Gunderson.

“The seasons and methods all play into the overall health of the resources.”

According to reports, Matney was selling game meat to his neighbors, an allegation that Gunderson said is now under investigation.

Although the 13 poaching offenses are misdemeanors, Gunderson said Matney also faces prosecution for several felonies.

Law enforcement officials seized a .22 caliber rifle at his residence that had been outfitted with a homemade suppressor/silencer, which is illegal without a federal firearms license.

As a convicted felon, Matney is not allowed to be in possession of a weapon.

In addition, the gun had an LED-mounted flashlight, which Gunderson said was proof of further illegal activity since hunters cannot use the aid of an artificial light to take animals.

Gunderson said 6.5 pounds of marijuana were also recovered from the scene, along with methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

“He’s facing some prison time with all of these charges,” he said.

The case is now on Wasco County District Attorney Eric Nisley’s desk and he will pursue prosecution.

Matney is being held in the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facilities on a $300,000 bail and needs to post $30,000 in cash to be released.