MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (FOX26) — A hunter was sentenced to a three-year hunting ban and community service after poaching a deer from the Yosemite Lakes Park back in 2023.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers in Madera County discovered a poaching case during an inspection at a local taxidermy shop in September 2023.
Officers identified a distinctive antlered deer mount as belonging to a buck previously photographed alive in Yosemite Lakes Park, Coarsegold.
The mount was tagged with an A19 Archery/X10 tag, falsely claiming the deer was taken in Inyo County near Mount Whitney, over 100 air miles away.
Officers confirmed the deer was alive in Yosemite Lakes Park just days before the reported harvest.
A search warrant at the tag holder’s residence revealed photos of the deer behind his home on the same day it was claimed to have been taken in the X10 deer zone.
Following an investigation, the Madera County District Attorney’s Office filed multiple charges against the tag holder.
The hunter pleaded guilty to violating California Fish and Game Code laws, involving document falsification and unlawful taking of a mammal.
The hunter received a three-year hunting ban, one year of probation, forfeiture of the deer, mandatory re-completion of hunter education, court fees, and 80 hours of community service.
“Poaching undermines wildlife conservation and fair chase hunting,” said CDFW officials. “Holding violators accountable protects California’s wildlife for everyone.”
The public is encouraged to report poaching or wildlife crimes to CalTIP at 1-888-334-2258.