Extreme poaching cases on the rise

Extreme poaching cases on the rise
James Damschroder, The Union Democrat pm

Last summer, Sonora resident Jesse Rodes pleaded guilty to a number of poaching-related charges stemming from a previous arrest where game wardens found rotting deer parts from dozens of deer strewn about his home.

As Department of Fish and Game wardens Josh Nicholas and Steve Marino neared Rodes’ home, they smelled rotting deer flesh, according to a DFG statement. Inside the garage, 23 severed deer tails were pinned to the wall, and dozens of deer parts were strewn across the property.

“There was evidence of 26 deer,” DFG Game Warden Patrick Foy said.

“These aren’t rationally minded people,” he added.

The DFG has seen a huge increase in “extreme” poaching cases like this that are severely affecting area wildlife, officials said.

“Extreme poachers cause noticeable declines in local fish and wildlife populations and are our highest priority,” said Nancy Foley, chief of DFG’s law enforcement division.

In another case in December, two Sacramento men were arrested after 11 deer, 200 pounds of deer meat, abalone bagged for sale and 19 squirrels were found at their home, according to the DFG.

It’s believed the deer were killed in Calaveras and El Dorado counties, Foy said.

The department doesn’t compile statistics on such extreme poaching cases, but from observation these types of cases are increasing at an alarming rate, Foy said.

“These used to be once-in-a-lifetime cases, but we’re seeing them every week now,” he said.

There was also a rise in all poaching cases from 2005 to 2007, where the number of poaching-related violations increased from 14,150 to 17,840. Last year’s statistics are not yet compiled.

Poaching is the illegal hunting, fishing or harvesting of wild plants or animals. Usually, poaching occurs when the game or fish are not in season, the hunter does not have a license or an animal’s body parts are being illegally sold.

It’s not clear why poaching is on the rise.

Foy said some of it can be attributed to the declining economy, as many poachers are selling items for profit on the underground market.

The problem is not isolated to deer. The DFG has had problems with poaching of bear, mountain lion and sturgeon for sale on the black market.

Bears are often poached to sell their gall bladders, which some people believe have medicinal qualities, Foy said. Sturgeon meat and roe are also popular illicit items, he added.

Another reason extreme poaching cases may be on the rise is because the population of California is growing, while the number of game wardens patrolling the state are declining.

“There’s one game warden for every 192,000 people in the state,” Foy said. “There will always be poaching, and we’re struggling to keep up.”