Hunters can apply for a pronghorn antelope tag for decades and never get drawn for one in the annual Big Game Drawing by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Only 137 pronghorn hunting tags were offered by the CDFW in 2024, making legally hunting for a pronghorn antelope a highly coveted hunting opportunity.
Which is why many are upset over the paltry fine of $3,000 issued to a man who circumvented the drawing and illegally shot a pronghorn antelope.
Earnest Davis, 53, of Clayton poached a pronghorn antelope with a compound bow and arrow on private property, and a tip led to a CDFW investigation that began August 2024, according to a joint press release by the CDFW and Modoc County District Attorney.
Davis reached a settlement agreement at his arraignment on Jan. 30; he pleaded no-contest to violating California Fish and Game Code Section 2016 involving the illegal take of the pronghorn antelope on private property. Other violations were dismissed.
“The terms of the settlement resulted in a one-year summary probation term for Davis; the loss of hunting privileges while on probation; the forfeiture of the pronghorn’s meat; the requirement to complete a hunter education course; and payment of $3,000 in restitution,” the press release stated.
Though the CDFW doesn’t determine fines, commenters on its Facebook post were nevertheless incensed about this poacher’s penalty. Among their comments:
“$3,000??? Pathetic. Should be more like $25k.”
“Slap on the wrist. At least lifetime hunting ban in the State of California or higher fine number like $10,000. What kind of message are you sending to future poachers?? No much.”
“Poachers are poachers because they don’t follow laws. Until we have laws with teeth, it doesn’t matter.”
“Jail time.”
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“$3,000 dollars and loss of hunting rights for a year? Wow, this may become more common since it took my dad 20 years to draw a tag to hunt public land. This guy got away with hunting private land and one of California’s most difficult lottery draws for $3,000.”
“That cost is nothing. Make it higher like other states. Let’s get some revenue in this state by going after poachers.”
“I think we can all agree that the penalty should be stiffer. But the adjudication is not the decision of CDFW Law Enforcement. A judge makes this decision based on guidelines.”
Most would agree that stiffer penalties are needed for a greater deterrent. And most would agree that the work of the CDFW was commendable.
“We have zero tolerance for poaching and those who would cheat the system and undermine the opportunities Californians have to legally hunt pronghorn antelope in this state,” said CDFW Chief of Law Enforcement Nathanial Arnold. “We’re grateful for the collaboration and support from Modoc County District Attorney Salarno, who shares our values of protecting one of California’s iconic big game species.”
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.
