Three people were arrested in the Angeles National Forest in August, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Wildlife officers stopped two off-roading vehicles during targeted night patrols and discovered loaded firearms, blood-stained clothing, and two freshly killed female deer hidden in black trash bags.
Night Patrols and Vehicle Stops in Angeles National Forest
The enforcement action stemmed from tips provided by concerned members of the public throughout August regarding unlawful hunting inside the forest. In response, Department of Fish and Wildlife officers scheduled targeted night patrols in the area. During those patrols, officers spotted two vehicles off-roading while occupants shone spotlights into the forest trees. Officers pulled both vehicles over and detained the three occupants at the scene.
Evidence Recovered During Vehicle Searches
Upon detaining the suspects, officers observed blood on their hands and clothing. Subsequent searches of the vehicles revealed loaded firearms, spotlights, and two dead female deer. One of the deer carcasses was completely skinned while the other had been quartered. Both animals were headless and concealed inside black trash bags. According to the wildlife agency, the suspects admitted to illegally killing the animals and attempting to conceal the evidence. Officers seized the firearms, the deer carcasses, and other physical evidence gathered at the scene.
Documented Violations and Court Releases
The three suspects were arrested at the scene and subsequently released on a written promise to appear in court. Wildlife officers documented multiple violations during the incident, including the unlawful take of female deer, taking deer without proper licenses or tags, possession of untagged meat, possession of loaded firearms in a vehicle, use of an illegal method of take, and spotlighting. Department officials emphasized that spotlighting is both illegal and highly dangerous.
Public Reporting and Wildlife Crime Hotline
State wildlife authorities credited public reporting as a critical factor in stopping the poachers. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife urged residents who witness suspected poaching or other wildlife crimes to report them immediately by calling the CalTIP hotline at 1-888-334-2258.
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