Pronghorn Poacher in California barely gets a Slap on the Wrist

[AM_Hunter]

Anyone seen this one out of our great state of California?

MSN

Less than 150 tags a year for the opportunity to hunt a Pronghorn in Cali and this guy poaches one and gets minimal punishment for it. Some people wait 20+ years to hunt one. Bummer.

Its been said a thousand times but we need harsher punishments for Poachers. Unfortunately not surprised that California wouldn't do anything about it since we basically let convicted Felons walk a few days after being arrested.

 

[Chrisamx]

Poaching a big problem in the area I hunt CA and you are not likely to find a Warden anywhere close.

 

[AM_Hunter]

Poaching a big problem in the area I hunt CA and you are not likely to find a Warden anywhere close.

Yea not enough Wardens to cover the areas. Warden I met last year in one of the larger zones in SoCal was one of like 3-4 for the entire zone.

They were so short staffed on wardens that for opening day they brought in special teams from NPS Law Enforcement Rangers. We got our deer checked by them and they were explaining how theyre from Hawaii and Oregon and out there to help for opening weekend but that they travel all around the US National Parks as Park Rangers/Wardens.

 

[SkiParkGuy]

Yeah this is ridiculous. People would happily pay $3,000 for a guided private land hunt, probably more. Then he only loses the meat, and license for a year? way too soft. Not to mention he killed it on private property. You'd think that would increase it.

 

[Stache Attack]

Had similar happen to me. Wife drew a bull tag in 2023, one morning we took the wrong route on the Mountian. Other guy got on a group of 10 bulls. He shot one it dropped, reloaded and shot another. I let the land owner know as he’s an acquaintance of mine through work. Wife and I hunted until lunch passing on three bulls. Had some lunch in the sun on a big face kinda in sight of the elk and could see them processing the second by the time we got there. Saw a pickup ripping around and I knew it was a warden, I thought good about time they got out of the office or ticketing some old man fishing. He asked if we shot them when we got towards the road chatted and here comes the land owner aswell. I gave them what coulee they were in they took off and we hiked back to the parking area.

Two days later I was talking with the landowner and he was irate. Warden let the guy pick which bull he wanted to keep and then gave him a 200 dollar fine. Essentially letting him go in my mind.

May not be poaching exactly (mistake and it happens I know). I feel for you and it bums me out they let it go so easy here and there. I’ve gotten a bigger ticket for a “spike” because his brows were 3.5” instead of 4” first bull and all when I was 13. Larger ticket for leaving a stuck rv in a camp spot longer than 7 days because I couldn’t get parts…

 

[Sandhills]

I put in for 18 years and never drew it. Grandpa drew it twice, once in 77 and once and 2017. His 77 goat was number 3 in Boone and Crockett then and is still number 6 on the California book. The Likely herd is a fragment of what it used to be because of lion predation.

 

[SW hunter]

Anyone seen this one out of our great state of California?

MSN

Less than 150 tags a year for the opportunity to hunt a Pronghorn in Cali and this guy poaches one and gets minimal punishment for it. Some people wait 20+ years to hunt one. Bummer.

Its been said a thousand times but we need harsher punishments for Poachers. Unfortunately not surprised that California wouldn't do anything about it since we basically let convicted Felons walk a few days after being arrested.

Been discussed plenty of times before but what is a reasonable punishment?

$3k to a 53yr old dude probably isnt as big a deal as it would be to a 20yr old guy.

Should he end up in jail for 3 days? 7 days?

Should he lose hunting privileges for 3yrs? 5yrs?

I dont know. To me a $5k fine and no hunting for 3yrs would be a pretty solid lick for this type thing. That would sting for most first time offenders. IMO.

Somebody mentioned private property. I dont think that should matter. Maybe I could be convinced otherwise. I dont know why it shouldnt be the same penalty if you do it on govt land or private land. Either way its the states animal.

I dont think a poaching penalty should be different if its trespassing either. Theres different charges for that.