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Poachers charged with road hunting in rural Paso Robles

May 14, 2025

By KAREN VELIE

As part of a crackdown on poaching, California Fish and Wildlife officers arrested multiple people for shooting at wild animals from vehicles in rural Paso Robles.

Several weeks ago, a wildlife officer on patrol pulled over a Honda Civic moving slowly through a rural area with blood splattered on the trunk, bumper and license plate. Inside the trunk, the officer found a tom turkey and squirrel wounded but still alive.

It is unlawful to pursue or hunt any bird or mammal species in California from motor-driven air, water or land vehicles, unless allowed under extremely limited exceptions, such as those for hunters with disabilities.

Just two weeks later, another wildlife officer on patrol also came across a car rolling slowly through a different stretch of rural Paso Robles. The officer pulled over a Chevy Malibu with a driver and two passengers inside. They had a hen and tom turkey in the trunk and a .22 caliber rifle on the rear floorboard.

The officer then confirm the driver was one of the same poachers previously cited for road hunting.

As a result, the 26-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of unlawful hunting of wildlife and felony animal cruelty. The officer booked the suspect in San Luis Obispo County Jail with his bail set at $20,000.

 


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Between mountain lions and folks with a culture that have no concept of following game regulations, the hills have become largely devoid of wild game. Notice the mention in the article of contact two weeks prior for game violations….but no mention of ticketing/fines/seizure of assets. Some cultures get a free pass because it’s their culture and heaven forbid we offend someone…


20

“Some cultures get a free pass”. Bee Ess. CDFW would pull up on you regardless of your ethnicity or national origin. Do your homework. I have hunted and fished following CDFW’s regulations all the while seeing folks from many different back blow off the regs. Check yourself before you unload your blanket xenophobic comments. Maybe it will help you understand the regs too.


1

That looks delicious.


-10

IMHO, anyone with such a complete lack of respect for the law and the kind of sadistic personality as to shove suffering animals in the trunk, should not be allowed to operate lethal weapons. Animals have enough problems without us arming those who would have such careless disregard for their pain. Not to mention that a disregard for the suffering of animals often escalates to harming humans. No one who considers themselves a proper hunter would approve of that behavior.


14

Where are their names? What’s the big secret with these state of California agency’s not giving out descriptions or names?


23

Throw these lowlifes in prison; better yet, send them to Guantanamo Bay.


20

Driving around shooting at creatures who are just trying to live. Bad enough. Wounding them and leaving them to suffer in the trunk? That is beyond disgusting. Then repeat offending at the first opportunity? I don’t see why someone capable of that level of cruelty and disregard for the law should be owning lethal weapons.


Perhaps that is just me, but that mentality is not just revolting, it is dangerous. It is a well-known fact that people who enjoy torturing animals often enough escalate to humans. Even if they limit themselves to helpless animals, it is criminal for us to give them the means of such blatant sadism. That is not hunting to eat. That is an enjoyment of suffering and power over the helpless. They should not be allowed the means.


14

Curious, no names or nationalities of the poachers? If one were to speculate, one could surmise said poachers were originally located in the “far south of the US border”….


20

Just more “California fathers” no doubt


6

Seriously? Disgusting comment. Rednecks with guns would be an alternative stereotype for you since you love those but, clearly your comment displays your true feelings. No color is better than the other fyi.


-3

Cut the xenophobic and nationalist comments. “Far south”? Dude, I have seen poachers from many backgrounds. Check yourself.


6