Oregon Authorities: Poacher Sentenced for 'Highest Damage' to Wildlife in the State

Published 07/02/26 at 9:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Umatilla, Oregon) - A sweeping, large-scale poaching investigation by the Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division has ended with major penalties for a Umatilla man accused of illegally taking wildlife across multiple counties. Authorities said he had single-handedly done some of the most significant damage to the state in terms of poaching. - Photos provided to Oregon Coast Beach Connection by OSP

Christopher George Matson, 48, was sentenced in two separate court cases after investigators uncovered a long list of violations involving big game animals, illegal weapons, and fraudulent tagging practices. The combined penalties include up to 24 months of probation, a lifetime revocation of his hunting privileges, 300 hours of community service, forfeiture of all seized firearms and property, and more than $114,000 in fines.

OSP began looking into Matson in 2024 after receiving reports that the former Oregon Department of Corrections officer had been unlawfully killing big game. A search warrant executed in February 2025 turned up multiple illegally taken animals and firearms. In all, 67 criminal charges were referred to prosecutors, ranging from unlawful take of bear and deer to possessing silencers and a short-barreled rifle. The Oregon Department of Justice’s Wildlife Anti-Poaching Resource Prosecutor handled the multi-county case.

Matson pleaded guilty in Grant County on June 18 to several counts involving the unlawful take of buck deer and black bear. He received 18 months probation, lifetime license revocation, community service, forfeiture of property, and a $52,500 fine. Eleven days later, in Umatilla County, he pleaded guilty to additional felony and misdemeanor wildlife and weapons charges, resulting in a separate sentence of 24 months probation and a $62,000 fine.

Oregon Department of Justice Wildlife Anti-Poaching Resource Prosecutor Jay Hall said the damage done was of an unusually high magnitude. In fact, it set a record.

“This is another example of serial poaching which rises to the level of felony conduct based solely on the repeated poaching conduct and impact of one individual on Oregon’s game mammals,” he said. “The conduct across the several counties amounts to one of the highest damage amounts done to Oregon wildlife by any singular actor.”

OSP also credited the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and numerous witnesses for helping investigators piece together the extensive violations.

Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

MORE PHOTOS BELOW

Secluded N. Oregon Coast Villa Overlooks Cannon Beach, Peaks
A massive vacation rental home near the Ecola State Park. Cannon Beach hotel reviews, Cannon Beach vacation rentals

A1 Beach Rentals - in Lincoln City and Depoe Bay
Substantial rate reduction all rentals (50 percent) - click on site. Lincoln City hotel reviews

Review: Hotel Sylvia, Newport ? Katie M Reviews
11 Jun 2026 at 5:35am
A lovely stay beyond expecations. Great dog-friendly place, super fun interiors. I'd give it six stars if I could.

JB Reviewed Nehalem River Inn, Manzanita, North Oregon Coast
14 Jun 2026 at 12:12am
A fantastic stay in the coastal woods. A bit of a drive to the beach but absolutely worth every second - and it's still quite the scenic road. Weather a little nicer out here than the beach. Nehalem Hotel Review

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles)

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright © Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted