Poachers Caught With Skinned Deer in Angeles National Forest

Three individuals have been arrested on suspicion of poaching deer in the Angeles National Forest, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced. The arrests followed a tip from the public, which prompted officers to conduct targeted night patrols in the area.

During these patrols, officers observed two vehicles off-roading and using spotlights to search the forest, a practice described as an illegal and dangerous hunting method. Upon stopping the vehicles, officers detained three individuals and noted blood on their clothing and hands, leading to a more thorough investigation.

Officers discovered guns and two female deer. One deer had been completely skinned, while the other was dismembered into four pieces. Both animals were headless and found inside black trash bags. The suspects reportedly admitted to illegally killing the deer and attempting to conceal the evidence.

All three individuals were arrested and subsequently released on the condition that they would appear in court. The arrests occurred shortly before the opening of rifle hunting season for nearly two dozen deer hunt zones across California on September 19.

The CDFW highlighted the importance of hunting revenue, noting that deer tag sales in 2025 generated nearly $7 million, which supports conservation efforts, habitat protection, and research. The agency also reported a separate incident approximately two months prior where lobster poachers were apprehended at the Santa Monica Pier, with 34 lobsters, including egg-bearing females, seized and released back into the ocean.

Anyone with information regarding suspected wildlife violations can report it by calling CAPTIP at 888-334-228.