PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Oregon State Police served nine search warrants and filed criminal wildlife charges against 13 people between Dec. 15 and 16 for the alleged use of thermal-imaging devices to illegally enhance hunting capabilities, officials said.
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Oregon State Police seized 14 infrared thermal-imaging devices, four deer and one rifle during its investigation. The investigation began in the fall of 2024, after Fish and Wildlife Troopers received multiple complaints of hunters using infrared technology to kill big game like deer and elk in Clackamas County.
“The use of infrared or thermal devices to hunt, locate, or scout wildlife provides a person with a significant unfair, unethical advantage over other unethical hunting behaviors as it completely voids the animal’s natural ability to hide or conceal itself,” Oregon State Police said. “Use of thermal and infrared devices is prohibited by law.”
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The technology allegedly used in the cases is known as forward-looking infrared.
OSP is forwarding the cases to the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. During the investigation, OSP allegedly caught, cited and released three people actively hunting with the infrared technology in the field. Officers seized two infrared thermal-imaging devices from the hunters.
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