Oregon Serial Poacher Loses Hunting Privileges for Life...For the Third Time in 10 Years

In a story as unbelievable as the headline, a serial poacher from Grant County, Oregon, has once again, had his hunting privileges revoked for life. This time for the third time in the last 10 years. 

While they say that the third time is a charm, many remain skeptical that this fellow has learned any sort of lesson, including the District Attorney.

“Palmer is a habitual offender who does not care what restrictions are placed on him,” District Attorney Jim Carpenter said. “He is going to trophy-hunt or fish as he wishes without regard for the law or other people. Palmer’s behaviors make it harder for the law-abiding hunter and wildlife enthusiast in the pursuit of their activities, be it putting food on the table for their families or recreational enjoyment of spotting wildlife in their natural habitat.”  

In events dating as far back as 2008, 34-year-old Travis Alexander Palmer of Mount Vernon has a long history of run-ins with local wildlife law enforcement. Court records and the Grant County District Attorney’s Office show that Palmer first lost his hunting privileges in 2008 for two years, at the tender age of 17, before losing them again for three years in 2010 due to another wildlife violation. 

In 2015, as his wildlife crime career continued to heat up, he was awarded his first lifetime hunting license revocation.  Undeterred, he continued hunting illegally and was convicted again in 2023, receiving his second permanent hunting ban. 

Palmer's most recent charges stemmed from two separate cases. In a Grant County Circuit Court, he faced eight counts of wildlife violations, including the illegal killing of a bull elk and a buck deer during archery season. According to reports, Palmer used a rifle to shoot the animals at night while spotlighting from his vehicle on a public road, all without a valid hunting license. 

In addition to the deer and elk poaching, Palmer was also on the hook for 31 fishing violations in a separate case, further demonstrating his blatant disregard for wildlife laws.

Ultimately, Palmer pleaded guilty to two felony counts of violation of a wildlife law with a culpable mental state, two counts of taking, angling, hunting or trapping in violation of a wildlife law or rule, and one count of hunting without a license. The remaining charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

On February 25, Judge Rob Raschio handed down a sentence that included 18 months of supervised probation, $22,500 in fines, 55 days in jail, and 260 hours of community service. Palmer was also ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation and forfeit all animal parts, game calls, a Weatherby Mark V 7mm rifle, a compound bow and arrows, and his Coleman spotlight. These items were likely used in the commission of his crimes and their forfeiture aims to prevent future offenses.

The accused is currently serving a sentence in the Grant County Jail for his recent criminal wildlife convictions. He is also awaiting trial for a felony charge of third-degree assault for allegedly hitting a man with a stick.