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Two men have entered pleas in a Sierra County poaching case involving bears and other wildlife, according to the district attorney’s office.
SIERRA COUNTY, Calif. — Two men have entered pleas in a major poaching case involving multiple unlawful hunting offenses in Sierra County, according to the Sierra County District Attorney’s Office.
The Sierra County District Attorney’s Office announced that Cameron Gilbert of Browns Valley and Michael Hubbard of Olivehurst were charged with numerous wildlife violations tied to the illegal taking and abuse of animals.
Authorities said the offenses involved eight bears, one bobcat, one turkey, one raccoon and multiple wild pigs.
Gilbert pleaded guilty to felony animal abuse, unlawful spotlighting, using dogs to hunt bear and hunting without a license.
He was sentenced to 30 days in county jail, ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, required to forfeit seized property and placed on felony probation for three years. Due to the felony conviction, Gilbert is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Hubbard pleaded no contest to misdemeanor animal abuse, hunting bear with dogs and unlawful possession of wildlife.
He was sentenced to 80 hours of community service, ordered to pay a $2,000 fine, barred from hunting for three years and placed on probation for one year.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife may take additional administrative action regarding the defendants’ future hunting privileges, the district attorney’s office said.
“This was a serious poaching case submitted to our office by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife,” Groven said in a statement. “Sierra County provides abundant opportunities for lawful hunting and outdoor recreation, but those opportunities come with clear legal responsibilities. Ethical sportsmen follow the rules. Those who choose to poach should expect to be prosecuted.”
Anyone with information about poaching or wildlife violations in Sierra County is encouraged to contact the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office.
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