During a night patrol in the Angeles National Forest, officers from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) discovered a case of illegal hunting. Officers observed two vehicles driving off-road and using spotlights, a prohibited and hazardous hunting technique, according to the agency.

Upon stopping the vehicles, officers found three individuals with blood on their hands and clothing. Further investigation revealed two freshly killed does, loaded firearms, and spotlights. One doe had been fully skinned, while the other was quartered; both were decapitated and stuffed in black trash bags.

The suspects were arrested at the scene and released after promising in writing to appear in court. The CDFW announced this in a Facebook post, noting that the suspects confessed to the illegal killing and attempted concealment of the deer. Officers seized the firearms, deer, and related evidence.

The CDFW reported several violations: unlawful taking of female deer, hunting without licenses or tags, possession of untagged meat, possession of loaded firearms in a vehicle, illegal hunting methods, and spotlighting. The exact timing of the arrests remains unclear, and the agency did not immediately provide comments.

In the post, the CDFW highlighted receiving numerous reports in August of illegal deer hunting, particularly spotlighting, within Los Angeles County’s forested areas. A tip led to “targeted night patrols,” ultimately resulting in the arrests.

Alan Barcelona, president of the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association, praised the officers’ efforts in protecting the state’s natural resources. He emphasized the risk officers face, especially at night, in uneven terrain with potentially armed individuals.

Barcelona also noted the significance of public tips since CDFW officers cannot monitor all areas at all times. In 2020, a public tip resulted in the prosecution of a Yuba County man accused of killing seven does and disposing of their bodies to evade detection. DNA analysis linked the meat found at his residence to the waterway and refuted his claims.

California mandates a hunting license and a deer tag for hunting deer. Currently, nearly two dozen hunting zones are open for rifle hunting, including in the Central Valley and Eastern Sierra.