2012-2013 Mammal Hunting Regulations now available online

The 2012-2013 California Mammal Hunting Regulations Booklet is now available for download from DFG’s website.

The document includes regulations for license requirements, methods of take, season dates, bag limits and hunting zones for both big game (deer, elk, bear, etc.) and small game (rabbit, squirrel, etc.) hunting.

Additional information about big game hunting, including tag drawing application instructions, can be found in DFG’s Big Game Hunting Digest, released earlier this year.

Wardens Arrest Two Repeat Abalone Poachers

Media Contacts:
Warden Patrick Foy, DFG Law Enforcement, (916) 651-2084
Captain Bob Farrell, DFG Law Enforcement, (707) 477-6657

California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) wardens have arrested two repeat abalone poachers for poaching and possession of abalone for sale on the black market.

Paul Chak Po Mak, 61, and Samuel Xing Sin, 41, both of Oakland, have been charged with poaching a total of 84 abalone for commercial purposes between April 23 and May 21. The two were arrested by DFG’s Special Operations Unit (SOU) after they were observed taking large overlimits of abalone during an intensive investigation dubbed “Operation Scoop and Run.”

Wardens served search and arrest warrants on the suspect’s homes on May 24 and seized evidence including abalone report cards and dive gear. Mak was charged with the illegal take of 52 abalone and Sin was charged with the illegal take of 32 abalone.

Wardens allege the two men also “high graded” abalone, meaning they knowingly harvested far more than their daily limit of three, with the intention of taking only the largest. One seized abalone measured 10 ¾ inches across, which is an extremely large abalone.

Both suspects were transported and booked into Mendocino County Jail. Additional pending charges include possession of abalone and intention to sell on the black market.

In addition to previous abalone poaching convictions, Sin has a currently pending case related to abalone poaching and sales in Mendocino County. Mak is currently on probation in Sonoma County for abalone-related convictions.

Abalone typically sell for up to $100 each on the black market, and some of the bigger abalone will fetch much more.

“Profit remains the primary motive for abalone poachers,” said DFG Capt. Bob Farrell, who oversees the SOU. “Profits from black market abalone sales easily cover the hard expenses poachers expend for travel and equipment. It is clear – and disappointing – that penalties from prior convictions failed to deter either of these men.”

DFG Warden Discovers Boat, Drugs on Central California Coast

Media Contacts:
Pat Foy, DFG Law Enforcement, (916) 651-2084
Mark Crossland, DFG Law Enforcement, (805) 594-6198

A Department of Fish and Game (DFG) warden discovered a drug running boat and a large quantity of marijuana north of Morro Bay Thursday. 

A DFG warden discovered a drug running boat and a large quantity of marijuana north of Morro Bay

The warden was investigating a vehicle parked in an unusual location near the northern boundary of the Piedras Blancas Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary when he spotted the 30-foot “Panga” boat beached on the sand. He followed fresh human footprints leading away from the boat and found 22 bales of marijuana nearby.

The boat was abandoned but held multiple plastic barrels containing more than 400 gallons of fuel for the outboard engines. Because it was a potential pollution hazard, wardens from DFG’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response arrived to facilitate cleanup. Food, water, clothing and other supplies were also found inside the boat.

Several other agencies including California State Parks, California Highway Patrol and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office responded to remove the fuel barrels and drugs, and tow the boat off the beach.

Police from all the involved agencies searched near the boat and the surrounding area with officers, dogs all-terrain vehicles and a helicopter, but no suspects or additional evidence were found.

The Panga is a type of modest-sized, open, outboard-powered fishing boat common throughout much of the developing world. They are considered extremely seaworthy and can go as fast as 35 miles per hour. Law enforcement personnel presume the drugs were being staged in the sand dunes for pickup, transport and eventual sale.

MPAs are primarily intended to protect or conserve marine life and habitat, and include state water quality protection area, state marine cultural preservation area and state marine recreational management areas. It is permissible to have a boat in the area but beaching a boat is highly unusual and typically indicative of distress or illegal activity.

The investigation is continuing.