OSP: Riddle man shot bull elk during bow season

RIDDLE, Ore. -- Oregon State Police arrested a Riddle man, who they say was in possession of an elk that had been shot with a gun on the first day of bow hunting season in August.

Troopers say that on opening day, OSP received an anonymous report of a rifle shot in the Nickel Mine area near Riddle. Trooper Aaron Baimbridge responded and contacted a group of men in possession of a large bull elk leaving the Nickel Mine area.

One of the men, identified as Jim Walter Martin, 42, of Riddle, was allegedly driving an ATV pulling a trailer containing a dead 6x6 elk. Officials say Martin told them he had killed the elk with arrows, but Trooper Baimbridge became suspicious when one the wounds appeared to have been caused by a bullet.

OSP seized the elk during an investigation.

That investigation led to a search warrant being issued for Martin's residence in the 5200 block of Riddle Bypass Road. During that search, Troopers say they seized evidence and two firearms, including a handgun with the serial number ground off.

After searching the home, Martin was arrested on charges of Unlawful Possession of a Bull Elk and Unlawful Possession of an Altered Firearm.

Martin was taken to the Douglas County Jail.