Three suspected poachers arrested after investigation

[Sacramento Bee RSS Feed]

State game wardens on Saturday arrested three alleged poachers whom they said had illegally hunted deer, boar and elk in rural counties and sold the meat to individuals and a neighborhood market in Sacramento.

Lt. Sam Castillo with frozen deer, elk, and wild pig seized from an Arbuckle residence.​

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[#1Predator]

"Commercialization" of wildlife is big business especially when the economy is in poor shape. A deer carcass (fawn, doe, or buck) usually goes for around $50-$100 in the Central Valley. The prices go up a little when it's harvest season. On a "good" night, a poacher can sell his take and reap a $400-$500 profit. Do this 8-10 times a month and the potential for a cash/no-tax windfall is too much for some to resist. It's still a misdemeanor if they get caught, so they may get a $2,000-$3,000 fine (about half of what they take make in a good month) and forfeit their guns and spotlights. No big deal. Buy another Marlin/Glenfield Model 60 .22 ($150 new - $75 used) and another spotlight ($40) and their back in business. I believe a stock broker would call this a modest risk for a potentially large gain.