CDFW Officers Cite Hunters Using Illegal Nighttime Equipment In San Luis Obispo County

California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers, working from a tip, cited hunters for using illegal equipment at night in San Luis Obispo County. Here’s more from a CDFW Facebook post (with some video footage here):

CDFW wildlife officers in San Luis Obispo County received multiple reports of nighttime poaching activity. In response, CDFW partnered with CAL FIRE Law Enforcement and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department to conduct coordinated nighttime patrols throughout the county.

To help locate illegal poaching activity, CDFW also deployed one of our aircraft equipped with nighttime cameras and other advanced technology. During a recent operation, officers saw suspects shining bright spotlights into fields where wild pigs are commonly found.

Poachers will use this tactic to locate and kill wildlife during nighttime hours. Not only is this highly unethical, it is also illegal. Sheriff deputies and wildlife officers coordinated their efforts and were able to locate the suspects. CDFW’s aircraft maintained overhead surveillance and captured video of the illegal activities. As officers were approaching, the aircraft captured video of one of the suspects attempting to discard evidence by throwing a rifle off an embankment.

Officers ultimately found the three suspects in possession of night vision equipment, spotlights and weapons while attempting to take wildlife at night. CAL FIRE Law Enforcement later recovered the .25 caliber air rifle that had been discarded by one of the suspects. The individuals were arrested and released with citations for several hunting-related violations, including spotlighting, hunting after hours, hunting without licenses and possession of night vision equipment while hunting. CDFW appreciates the teamwork and support of CAL FIRE Law Enforcement and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department in helping our wildlife officers protect California’s wildlife.