Police seized deer meat, 3x4 velvet buck horns and a rifle as part of the investigation.

CRESWELL, Ore. -- Two Creswell men face criminal charges after police got a tip about a buck deer dumped at the end of a street.

While following up on the tip, a state trooper had a citizen approach him and turn in another person for a possible wildlife crime.

The investigation started with the discovery of a buck deer carcass that had been shot, butchered and dumped at the end of Idyllwild Street in Creswell.

The Oregon Hunter's Association Turn in Poachers program and the Humane Society of the United States offered a combined $3,000 reward for tips in the case.

State wildlife officers got a tip Wednesday night that resulted in criminal charges against the men.

Cody James Esselburn, 18, of Creswell was cited on suspicion of Unlawful Take of Buck Deer and Placing Offensive Substance on Property of Another.

Lukas Joseph Case, 20, also of Creswell, was cited for Aiding in a Wildlife Violation.

Police seized deer meat, 3x4 velvet buck horns and a rifle as part of the investigation.

While in Creswell investigating the buck deer case, Trooper Marc Boyd was contacted by a local resident who gave him information about a man who struck a deer with his vehicle, loaded it in his pickup and was driving around trying to find someone to take the deer from him.

The man was reportedly also showing off a set of deer antlers he had taken from the dead deer.

Trooper Boyd's investigation on the second case resulted in citing Michael Eugene Clausen, 50, of Creswell on suspicion of Unlawful Possession of Buck Deer Parts.

"Both these cases are excellent examples of how people can help protect our state's wildlife and natural resources," Trooper Boyd said. "Those who break the law seem to have a lot of time on their hands to commit the crime while police have a limited amount of time to be out in the field preventing these from happening. Whether a reward is offered or not, people stepping forward to help us investigate crimes is critical in solving these cases."