CDFW Investigation Reveals Two Monterey County Suspects Booked For Alleged Deer Trapping Scheme

California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers uncovered an alleged deer trapping operation in Monterey County, leading to the arrest of two suspects. CDFW posted the following on Facebook:

Two suspects were recently booked into the Monterey County Jail after a tip from the public launched a CDFW investigation into illegal deer trapping activity. CDFW wildlife officers found that the suspects were using snare traps in the Monterey area to capture and kill three deer, one of those being a buck that suspects admitted to killing using knives and sticks.

During the officers’ initial investigation, they found evidence that corroborated the tip, including blood, snares and drag marks on the ground, which indicated a deer had been killed and removed from the area.

Wildlife officers began monitoring the area at night to identify and catch the suspects in the act. On July 13, the second evening of their investigation, wildlife officers detained the suspects after they were found servicing the illegal traps. The wildlife officers seized knives, antlers, four snares and deer meat as evidence of the crimes. The suspects were charged with numerous wildlife crimes, including unlawful method of take, hunting without a license, take of deer using a trap and hunter trespassing.

Cases like this are an example of how wildlife officers act on, and rely on, complaints and information submitted by the public. To report a wildlife crime, call CALTIP 24/7 at 1-888-334-2258.