Ducks being lured, then shot by poachers
Cougar Canyon, CA (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006
County: San Diego

Disposition: State Citation

Persons of Interest:
» Adult
» Adult
» Adult
» Adult
» Juvenile
» Juvenile

California Fish and Game wardens bagged some poachers this week, and now six local people face state and possible federal charges. Fish and Game warden Todd Tognazzini shows off the results of a two-year investigation. "This is what the grain looks like right after it's been poured on the vegetation, it floats for some time and then it sinks," explains Tognazzini. He points out a yellow ring of grain around a pond in Cougar Canyon, a remote area by Lopez Lake. The grain is used to lure ducks, and once the ducks arrive, poachers would begin blasting away, and all that would be left are shell casings and feathers.

"The people who have called me regarding this case are actual sports people, sportsmen and sportswomen who don't recognize this as hunting whatsoever, this is not activity hunting, hunting is based upon fair chase, it's based upon the chance of encountering an animal or the chance you won't, and this type of activity is not by chance at all," Tognazzini says. Tognazzini rounded up the four armed adults and two juveniles all by himself. "Many of the people we deal with are armed, and in this case there were six of them and one of me, and so fortunately we're trained in that aspect, but it is an adrenalin situation," he says.

As a result, a search warrant was also issued on three homes in Nipomo and Arroyo Grande, leading to the discovery of more than 450 ducks, doves, quail and pheasants, even a mountain lion. "Just like robbing a bank, you rob one today, you rob one tomorrow, separate crime, so if you've killed ducks illegally one day, and kill on another day, those are separate crimes, so we're investigating that," says Tognazzini.

The men accused of poaching will appear in court on Feb. 21, 2006. They will be arraigned on charges regarding the incident at the pond, and they could face further charges regarding what was found during the search warrant.

References

• KSBY News - February 2006

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