“Great team work and use of resources by local and state law enforcement officers who are appreciative of tips from the public. This is dangerous work given suspects are armed and under the cover of darkness.”
CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY – On August 3, 2026, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced it cited three suspects for hunting violations during an investigation into reports of nighttime poaching.
The investigation was the result of multiple reports of nighttime poaching activity in San Luis Obispo County. CDDFW wildlife officers partnered with CAL FIRE Law Enforcement and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department to conduct coordinated nighttime patrols.
To help detect illegal activity, CDFW deployed one of its aircraft equipped with night-vision cameras and advanced surveillance technology. During a recent operation, the aircraft observed suspects using bright spotlights to scan fields where wild pigs are commonly found—a tactic used by poachers to locate wildlife under the cover of darkness. Spotlighting wildlife is illegal.
Working together, sheriff’s deputies and wildlife officers located the suspects while the CDFW aircraft maintained overhead surveillance, capturing video evidence of the crime. As officers approached, the aircraft recorded one suspect attempting to discard evidence by throwing a .25-caliber air rifle down an embankment. CAL FIRE Law Enforcement later recovered the discarded rifle.
The three suspects were found in possession of night vision equipment, spotlights, and weapons while attempting to take wildlife at night. They were cited for multiple hunting-related violations, including spotlighting, hunting after legal hours, hunting without valid licenses, and possessing night vision equipment while hunting.
CDFW extends its appreciation to CAL FIRE Law Enforcement and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department for their outstanding teamwork and partnership in protecting California’s wildlife and holding poachers accountable.
