Three people have been arrested in San Luis Obispo County after California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) officers allegedly caught them illegally hunting at night during a targeted anti-poaching operation. The arrests followed multiple reports from the public of nighttime poaching activity in the area.
High-tech operation catches suspects
To investigate the complaints, CDFW partnered with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office and Cal Fire Law Enforcement for nighttime patrols.
Wildlife officers also deployed an aircraft equipped with night-vision cameras and other surveillance technology. During one operation, the aircraft observed suspects allegedly shining powerful spotlights into fields where wild pigs commonly feed. Officers maintained aerial surveillance while ground units moved in to contact the suspects.
According to CDFW, the aircraft also captured video of one suspect throwing a rifle down an embankment as officers approached in an apparent attempt to discard evidence. Cal Fire personnel later recovered the rifle.
Multiple hunting violations alleged
Officers reported finding the three suspects in possession of:
- Night-vision equipment
- Spotlights
- Hunting weapons
The suspects were cited for multiple alleged violations, including:
- Hunting after legal shooting hours
- Spotlighting wildlife
- Hunting without valid hunting licenses
- Possession of night-vision equipment while hunting
Why night hunting is illegal
Although California allows year-round hunting of wild pigs, hunters must still comply with state hunting laws. In most situations, hunting big game or wild pigs at night with artificial lights or night-vision equipment is prohibited.
Night poaching removes the fair-chase principles that ethical hunters follow and creates significant public safety risks, particularly in rural agricultural areas where livestock, homes, roads, and other people may be nearby.
CDFW noted that the investigation began after members of the public reported suspicious nighttime activity—another reminder that hunters and landowners play an important role in protecting California’s wildlife resources.
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