[oucorry]

Gilroy man involved in case of 'staggering proportions'
Courtesy California DFG

A Gilroy man was recently convicted of waterfowl poaching of staggering proportions, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) announced. Peter Ignatius Ciraulo, age 42, plead no contest to three violations: possession of an excess of the waterfowl possession limit, failure to declare a migratory game bird (a swan) and failure to show game upon demand of a Fish and Game warden. Ciraulo was found to unlawfully possess 253 ducks and 58 geese, in excess of the possession limits of 14 ducks and eight geese. He also possessed seven live but wounded snow geese.

"Not since the market poaching days of the early 1900s have we seen waterfowl poaching of this scope," said Nancy Foley, Chief of DFG's Law Enforcement Division.

Through routine waterfowl hunting patrol techniques, DFG game wardens Kyle Kroll and Greg Grinton began an investigation on Ciraulo a few weeks before the close of the normal waterfowl hunting season which ended in January 2008. As they amassed evidence, they realized the extent of Ciraulo's poaching. On the last day of the hunting season, Kroll and Grinton made contact with Ciraulo and discovered evidence of poaching beyond anything they had ever seen. Initial contact with Ciraulo revealed he had killed a swan, which is protected in California, and eight geese. He also possessed several additional concealed goose breasts hidden in his jacket. The wardens also found hundreds of birds, mostly waterfowl species in freezers. The dead birds included specimens of almost every waterfowl species that migrates into California, but also included many non game, protected species including a Sandhill Crane. A total of 335 birds were discovered during the investigation. Most of them were frozen whole, without having been processed for consumption. Seven live and crippled snow geese were also found at the residence.

As a result of the conviction, Ciraulo was placed on two years probation, ordered to pay a fine totaling $7,105 and must serve 100 hours community service work at Ducks Unlimited and/or California Waterfowl Association projects. As a further condition of probation, Ciraulo is banned from all hunting in California for one season, until February 1, 2009.

[oucorry]

He was only banned from hunting for one season!! Are you kidding me? I would think at least 10 years

[Dep6]

Welcome to the Justice System!! It is all about the money these days.

[deerslayer]

Look at the state that this took place. He should have been banded from hunting for life because he is not a real hunter. Since he was allowed to hunt again he should have to pay a whole lot more for his hunting, try 7000+ a year. I know whishful thinking right. He will just go out and do it again.

[shortbus]

I don't understand how this guy didn't get jail time. Hell if he sold all those birds he dang near makes money on the deal.

[Dep6]

I bet he paid one heckuva fine to keep his butt outa jail but I have yet to hear of a game violator anywhere, getting jail time.

[D Winkler]

Originally Posted by Dep6

I bet he paid one heckuva fine to keep his butt outa jail but I have yet to hear of a game violator anywhere, getting jail time.

Come to think of it. I haven't heard of one either. I'll have to do some research and find one for us.

[birdman]

I'm almost positive there's been jail time given in Colorado for elk poachers. Especially those falling under the Sampson Act (trophy animal). They don't screw around here though. I like the states that subscribe to the cooperative arrangement where if you screw up in one state, you lose privelages in all member states. This is especially important because you know a violator doesn't have the ethical standards to change their take methods and more than likely will go anywhere to "get their fix".

[Dep6]

Maybe big game violators but I have not ever heard of any Migrtory Bird Violators receive jail time, ain't seen but a few cases even go to Federal court. The one I wanted jail time on, that I assisted with, 122 ducks killed, got a huge fine which turned out to be a drop in the bucket for him, it was paid before he left the court. Welcome to the Justice System!!

[jiankangjiuhao]

Has anyone bought this type of sling shot before that holds the amo in the handle? Wholesale Sporting Goods Items Shipped To You Direct From China Wholesaler
this company has free shipping to anywhere in the world and they guarantee delivery to Australia. I heard that sling shots
are ok to sell in Australia as long as you say they are being used to toss bait in the water when you go fishing, any truth
to thatone?