Two elks were killed by poachers using lead ammo in an area frequented by the California condors now flying free in the region, putting the endangered birds’ lives in danger. According to a release from the Northern California Condor Restoration Program — a partnership between the Yurok Tribe and Redwood National and State Parks — […]
Poaching
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Bill to Protect Dudleya from Poaching on Newsom’s Desk
A California bill aimed at protecting dudleya, sometimes called “live-forevers,” from the international black market by imposing stiff fines for illegally taking the succulents from public and private lands is now sitting on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. The bill authored by Assembymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego) and sponsored by the California Native Plant Society comes […]
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Redwood Burl Poacher Sentenced to Community Service, Probation, Banned from Park
An Orick man is now banned from stepping foot into Redwood National and State Parks as part of his sentencing today after pleading guilty last month to poaching burl from old growth redwoods at the protected site. He also received two years probation, a $1,200 fine and 400 hours of community service. Derek Alwin Hughes’ […]
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Reward Offered in Poaching of Roosevelt Elk
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced this week a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for the December shooting deaths of four Roosevelt elk, including a pregnant cow. In a release, CDFW states the investigation is continuing, “including processing evidence left at the […]
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Crimes Against Nature: Poaching Takes its Toll on the North Coast
They come at night, under the cover of darkness, traversing the back roads of Redwood National and State Parks, home to much of what remains of the world’s last old growth redwood stands. Carrying chainsaws and wearing headlamps, the thieves often take side trails to scour the towering trunks for knobbed growths that encase intricately […]
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The Grand Juror Who Was Banned for Life
The California Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously in closed session June 20 to permanently ban former Humboldt Bay Harbor, Conservation and Recreation District Commissioner and current Humboldt County Civil grand juror Aaron Newman from obtaining a recreational hunting or fishing license. The commission’s action is rare. According to California Department of Fish and Wildlife […]
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Former Harbor Commissioner Banned for Life From Recreational Hunting/Fishing in California
The California Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously in closed session this afternoon to permanently ban former Humboldt Bay Harbor, Conservation and Recreation District Commissioner Aaron Newman from obtaining a recreational hunting or fishing license. The ban stems from a 2014 criminal case in which Newman faced allegations that he’d habitually poached abalone and lied […]
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Stolen Succulents Replanted at Stone Lagoon
More than 1,000 succulents pilfered for sale overseas in by what the California Department of Fish and Wildlife described as an “international conspiracy” were returned to nature on Tuesday by a team of volunteers who planted them along the bluffs at Stone Lagoon. Those plants were among some 2.300 taken from near Trinidad by a […]
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Three Facing Charges for ‘International Conspiracy’ to Poach Succulents Near Trinidad
The growing popularity of using succulents — here and abroad — for decorative plant arrangements is resulting in what state officials are calling a “rising poaching trend on the North Coast,” including the the discovery of an alleged international poaching ring. California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials arrested Taehun Kim, 52, and Taeyun Kim, […]
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Facing Possible Removal, Newman Resigns Land Trust Post
Facing the threat of a vote to remove him from office, Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District Commissioner Aaron Newman has stepped down from his seat on the Northcoast Regional Land Trust Board of Directors. “There was just a difference of opinion that caused some discomfort on that board, so I didn’t want to […]
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Harbor Commissioner to Stand Trial in Poaching Case
A superior court judge ruled today that there is sufficient evidence to hold Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District Commissioner Aaron Newman to stand trial on poaching and perjury charges. Newman was arrested June 8 and has pleaded not guilty to a total of eight charges in the case, which alleges that he lied […]
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Park Service: Burl Poacher Pinched
An Orick man was arrested recently on suspicion of hacking burl out of redwood trees on public land a year ago and selling them to a nearby burl souvenir shop. Danny E. Garcia is facing charges of grand theft, vandalism and receiving stolen property stemming from the discovery of a badly damaged tree in Redwood […]