CANYON CITY — A Baker City man pleaded guilty Tuesday, Feb. 23, to a Class A violation of Taking a Threatened/Endangered Species for shooting a radio-collared wolf last October.
The plea hearing took place at the Grant County Justice Court in Canyon City before Judge Kathy Stinnett.
Brennon Witty, 26, formerly of John Day, had a companion charge of Hunting With a Centerfire Rifle With No Big Game Tag dismissed as part of a negotiated plea agreement.
The wolf shooting happened near Crane Prairie, south of Prairie City while Witty was reportedly hunting coyote on private land.
“Witty self-reported the shooting and coorperated with ODFW (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists) and OSP (Oregon State Police) game troopers in the investigation of the incident,”said Harney District Attorney Tim Colahan. “The offense Witty entered his guilty plea to was reduced to a Class A violation as part of the plea negotiations.”
Witty, formerly of John Day, was fined $1,000, was ordered to pay restitution of $1,000 to ODFW, and the firearm used in the incident, a Savage Arms .223 rifle with score, was forfeited to the state.
A family member of Witty’s said Sharon Livingston of Long Creek came forward to pay Witty’s attorney fees — Witty was represented by Burns attorney Riccola Voigt.
“Brennon — I have to compliment him,” Livingston said. “I admire him for being truthful and forthcoming.”
The family member also said rancher Gail Enright of Mt. Vernon and the property owner where the wolf was shot each paid $200 toward Witty’s fines.
Wolves were listed under the state Endangered Species Act at the time of the shooting and although the ODFW Commission on Nov. 9 removed wolves from the state list, it had no bearing on Witty’s case.
Colahan prosecuted the case at the request of the Grant County District Attorney who conficted himself from the case based on his acquaintance with the Witty family.
Under House Bill 4040 A, the legislature would ratify last year’s decision by state wildlife officials to delist wolves, effectively neutralizing a legal challenge filed by several environmental groups in the Oregon Court of Appeals.
The Senate will soon vote on HB 4040 A having passed a key legislative committee on Feb. 23 and earlier having passed the House.